I made and pressure canned bean soup for winter.
It's pretty free-form.
Ingredients:
Dried navy beans (or white beans or pinto beans or..whatever) 1 lb
Garlic 2-3 cloves or more, minced
Carrots, diced
Celery stalks, diced
Onion,diced
Ham (hock or leftover ham from Christmas)
Bay leaf
Peppercorns
Salt, not much
Optional: thyme, rosemary, mushrooms, bell peppers, kale, mashed potatoes
Rinse and clean beans, cover with water and bring to full boil for a few minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let them sit for 1 hour. (eliminates the need to soak overnight).
Rinse beans and cover beans with fresh water, vegetable or chicken broth. Don't skimp.
Add parsley, shredded ham (or hock) and minced garlic.
Add peppercorns and bay leaf.
Simmer about 45 minutes.
Add mirepoix, diced celery, carrot and onion. They can be sauted in butter first or add plain. Cook another 15 minutes.
If using a ham hock, remove and shred ham and return to pot. To make a thicker soup, mash the beans with a potato masher.
Soup is done!
BUT if you're canning it, don't add salt.
Prepare canning jars and lids per best practices.
Add about 2-3 inches water to canner and begin simmering.
Fill jars with solids 2/3 full, fill with hot liquid leaving 1/2" headspace, and remove air bubbles (I use a chopstick). I read somewhere not to use metal. Add a touch of salt to each jar if desired.
Make sure rim is clean, place lid and screwband, fingertip tight.
Place jars in pressure canner, cover, lock and increase heat. Let steam vent for 10 minutes, then process at 10 lbs. Pints for 1 hour 15 minutes, quarts 1 hour 30 minutes.
Turn off heat and let pressure drop completely. Remove jars with tongs and let sit until completely cool. Lids are sealed if they do not move when pressed. Remove bands, label and store. If not sealed, it can be stored in refrigerator for up to a month
You can modify this recipe to your liking, adding more or less vegetables, ham or turkey, or leave out the protein. If adding tofu, add it later when reheating. Play with it. Toppings can be sour cream, shredded cheese, scallions, chives, croutons, whatever you're little heart desires.
Bon Appetit
