Hurst's 15 Bean Soup

[TickTockMan]

So I have wanted to try this stuff for over 20 years. I finally bought a bag. The recipe says add tomato and onion, but I skipped those as tomato seemed odd and I don't like onion. I do plan to add onion powder though.

Has anyone here tried this soup? Did you like it? Should I go get tomato and onion and follow directions?

 

[Alistair]

Yes I’d add the tomato and onion, and I’d add some cubed ham. Are you using a chicken stock or just water?

 

[cityboy-stl]

Does 15 bean soup come with Beano?

 

[TickTockMan]

Yes I’d add the tomato and onion, and I’d add some cubed ham. Are you using a chicken stock or just water?

Yeah I bought some ham. I think just water, but I will reread the directions. If it calls for stock I will get some.

 

[TickTockMan]

Does 15 bean soup come with Beano?

That and a can of air freshener.

 

[Vannie]

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Yeah I bought some ham. I think just water, but I will reread the directions. If it calls for stock I will get some.

Yes, I've made Hurst's 15 Bean Soup for years. It is consistently good when made with plain water, use broth or stock if you prefer. The combination of different beans lends a unique flavor that I like to highlight with plain water and salt/pepper (save the flavor packet for vegetable soup - I don't use it for beans).

I like adding chopped ham, sausage, ground beef, canned tuna - or sometimes no add-ins at all. I've always preferred beans as plain as possible because I like that flavor.
The combo of all the different types of beans seem to lessen the gassiness, but I've eaten beans all my life so my gut has adapted.

For plain beans I add olive oil and ground pepper to my slow cooker, then add salt after the beans are tender. If I add, "Better Than Bouillon", its sparingly.

 

[unloadonme]

I've never seen that for sale in the UK. I'd certainly try it if it was available. Many soups use tomato and onion as a base and, at least to begin with, I'd follow the instructions. If you don't like onion, chop it finely any you probably won't notice it when cooked.

 

[eddielee]

I have had it. It is good, even though I'm not a fan of mixed bean soup. To me it is a dish for cold weather.

 

[cityboy-stl]

Are you supposed to soak the beans overnight?

 

[Vannie]

Tonight's menu

15 Bean soup

Spicy Deviled eggs

Broccoli salad

Stuffed Cabbages

Prune Babka

 

[Alistair]

Tonight's menu

15 Bean soup

Spicy Deviled eggs

Broccoli salad

Stuffed Cabbages

Prune Babka

You forgot the asparagus

 

[Vannie]

You forgot the asparagus

I purposely left asparagus out cause they give me gas.

 

[Alistair]

Are you supposed to soak the beans overnight?

Yes. At least 8 hours.

 

[rareboy]

We actually just make all our soups from scratch, including bean soups. In fact, we just picked up some dried beans here that we don't find grown in Ontario much any more for a bean feed this winter.

Stock and some ham or bacon is essential in a robust bean soup. Tomato is essential to give a bit of acidity and sweetness and onion some balance.

 

[TickTockMan]

Are you supposed to soak the beans overnight?

Yes according to the bag, but I was thinking of using my slow cooker and they said to check their site for directions if I cook them that way.

 

[Kahaih]

LOL

For 20 years you have wanted to try this, and now, with product in hand, . . . .

How many changes can you make and still be content that you have tried their product?

At what point is it something else?

 

[Kahaih]

BTW;

Goya sells a 16 bean soup bag. You might be missing out. LOL

 

[Vannie]

Goya sells a 16 bean soup bag.

Sounds like they might be working with Iran.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Yes, I've bought that very product before. It's good.

Although I'd differ from Kahaih in that bean soup is a bit like minestrone, or any other peasant soup, and highly varied to the family making it.

That said, I have to agree with him in that you need to try it as suggested for you to have a good baseline for then shifting it with your own druthers.

Make it with crushed tomatoes, or chopped if the larger pieces are unappealing to you, and onions. If you then feel like it is lacking, add. You won't have the same deep flavor as with stock, but you will get more of a bean flavor than a meat flavor, so maybe a better shot at the variety there.

I don't remember the spice packet, but it will benefit from some light spices and limited garlic.

With eddielee, I'm not as big a fan of mixed beans as them separately. They each have a great character, which I think is lost when mixed.