Senate Bean soup

[Irene texas]

Senate Bean soup
I have made this Bean soup many times, and its great The mashed potato's make it. We are two people, and we get three meals out of this recipe. I make mashed potato's the night before and make enough so I have some for the bean soup the next day.
Irene



Senate Bean Soup

1 lb. dried white beans, soaked over night
6 cups water
1/3 tsp crushed thyme
1 tsp oregano
1/2 lb. potatoes, cut into thick slices [ I use about two cups of mashed ]
1/4 cup milk or light cream [ cream makes it really good]
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tsp. salt

Drain the over night soaked beans, cover with water and bring to a boil in
a large saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Steam or
microwave the thick sliced potatoes until tender. Mash and add milk or
cream until fluffy. Add mashed potatoes, celery, onion, garlic, parsley and
salt to the beans. Cover and simmer gently for another hour, stirring
occasionally and lightly mashing the beans with a fork or potato masher
until soup becomes pulpy. Taste and adjust seasonings.
PS,BIG HINT--- I have learned over the years if you don't want gas from eating beans, then bring beans to a boil, boil one min and drain. Put in new water and do the recipe. NO GAS

Makes about 6 servings

Note: Diced ham or ham hocks can be added for a delicious meal served with
hot cornbread

[jazzy]

thank you, it sounds delicious and easy

[Gercarson]

McGuire's in Pensacola serves "Senate Soup" for $0.18 - no cornbread, but I always order it when I can afford McGuire's because it is soooooooooooo good.

[hunybee]

PS,BIG HINT--- I have learned over the years if you don't want gas from eating beans, then bring beans to a boil, boil one min and drain. Put in new water and do the recipe. NO GAS

another way to help is to cook the beans with a carrot. when the beans are cooked and done, throw the carrot away

[liteluvr]

Isn't that part of the fun......?

[bbkaren]

How come it's called "senate soup?"

[hunybee]

http://www.senate.gov/reference/refe.../bean_soup.htm

[angelwing]

The senate needs all the hot air?

[jazzy]

i made the senate bean soup tonight. i used a ham bone we had left over and about 2 cups diced ham and it really came out terrific. i didnt have taters so i used about 2+ cups of instant mashed. it was nice and creamy and delicious.

a good recipe ill use again, dh loved it. i think i can thicken it up some to pour over rice too, i bet that will be good.

[cyberiot]

Another two thumbs up for this recipe!

Made it tonight. Alas, my beans were beyond ancient, so when it was clear they were never gonna soften, I strained 'em out of the pot liquor and substituted two cans of white kidney beans. Victory snatched from the jaws of defeat!

This soup is ambrosial! The Joy of Cooking Senate Bean recipe I have in my files doesn't include thyme, oregano, or cream. These additions make Irene's recipe extra-special.

Thank you, m'dear!