With a pandemic going on, getting groceries is a challenge in many ways. It is best to make use of what is already available. “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Hence this delicious soup. It turned out so flavorful!
I had plenty of Andouille sausage links in the freezer from finding it on sale. Usually I only use that kind of sausage in Jambalaya. Since Grant does not really care for Jambalaya, I did not feel like making a meal he will not eat much of. However, it turns out the only kind of sausage he likes is breakfast sausage, especially when made into Biscuits and Gravy.
Beans are a very scarce commodity right now, but I had a pound of Mayocoba beans, which I had never heard of before buying them some time ago. Thankfully, I have been able to get some produce, so I have some vegetables around. Whenever I have rotisserie chicken from Costco, I save the carcass in the freezer to make chicken broth. I pulled a few out of the freezer and made a large pot of chicken broth recently. Remember, the point is to make us of whatever is available.
- 1 pound dried Mayocoba beans, sorted and rinsed (or any kind of beans)
- 1 onion, diced
- 5 or 6 cloves garlic or heaping spoonful of minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- chicken broth
- 4 – 8 Andouille sausage links, or other sausage, cooked and sliced
- 1 chicken breast, seasoned, diced and sautéed
- 1 carrot, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup diced green chiles
- 1 or 2 spoonfuls chicken base
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon salt
- sour cream, optional
- grated cheese, optional
- tortilla strips, optional
Put rinsed beans in a large stock pot and add water and/or broth to cover to about two inches above beans. Add bay leaf, diced onions and garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until beans are softened but not fully cooked. Add more water or broth is needed to prevent pot from going dry.
Add diced celery, carrots, potatoes, peppers, and chiles and simmer until beans and vegetables are soft. Add sausage, chicken base, spices, and more chicken broth if needed. Just before serving, add diced and cooked chicken, just long enough to heat. If desired, add some sour cream. Season to taste and adjust liquid and flavor as desired.
Serve with grated cheese and tortilla strips.