Basic Bean-Soup Mix

• Dried-bean mix:
• 1 pound dried kidney beans
• 1 pound dried yellow lentils
• 1 pound green split peas
• 1 pound dried black beans
• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• Spice mix:
• 5 teaspoons salt
• 5 teaspoons dried basil
• 5 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 5 teaspoons dried marjoram
• 2 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper
• 5 bay leaves
• Additional soup ingredients for 1 packet dried-bean mix and 1 packet spice mix:
• 8 cups water
• 1 smoked ham hock (about 1/2 pound)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1. To prepare dried-bean mix, combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Divide the bean mixture into 5 equal portions (about 2 1/2 cups each), and place in airtight containers.
2. To prepare spice mix, combine the salt and the next 6 ingredients (salt through bay leaves) in a bowl. Divide spice mix into 5 equal portions. Place in small airtight containers.
3. To prepare the soup, sort and wash 1 portion dried-bean mix, and place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand 8 hours. Drain.
4. Combine the drained bean mixture, 8 cups water, and the ham hock in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Add 1 packet spice mix, onion, and tomatoes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Uncover; cook 1 hour. Discard bay leaf. Remove ham hock from soup. Remove meat from bone; shred meat with 2 forks. Return meat to soup.

kidney beans, yellow lentils, peas, black beans, blackeyed peas, spice mix, salt, basil, rosemary, marjoram, black pepper, red pepper, bay leaves, packet, water, ham hock, onion, salt

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/basic-bean-soup-mix (may not work)