Hurst’s HamBeens Cajun 15 Bean Soup, 20 oz

Kosher, great bean soup for sabbath. It’s easily customizable , you can add in beef and corn, etc. This makes a good amount of food so you can heat it up later as left overs. It’s a nice flavour, the more food added, it needs more seasoning. I add extra cayenne.

They are good! Didn’t have the ham favor so sub cajun! I don’t care for cajun but it’s just the season pack! Don’t have to add it! Add my own seasons!

I give these a quick rinse. Then cover with cold water and add about 1/2 tsp. of baking soda. Let sit several hours to overnight. Why the baking soda? Because it takes the gas out of beans, without affecting the flavor and speeds up the cooking a few minutes. When I'm ready to cook, I rinse and drain, then cover with 1 to 2 inches of water above the beans. Depends on whether I'm cooking half the bag or the entire bag. BTW, I always just toss the seasoning packet that come with these. It's the great combination of beans that I want. Usually, I cook the entire bag and FREEZE half the cooked beans for a later baked bean or soup dish. When cooking these, I bring to a full boil on medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, then I turn the heat down to a simmer (uncovered) for 25 to 40 minutes (depending on on how soft I want the beans). If making baked beans, I cook a lesser amount of time and add my bean gravy (sauce). For that, I like to use a Sugar Free BBQ Sauce, little Artificial Sweetener, Ketchup

Great variety of beans! Versatile! Easy to prepare bean soup, even for even arthritis suffers (see below). Tip: To those sensitive to beans, try “Equate Gas and Bloating prevention” food enzyme pill (alpha-galactosidase enzyme). (No I don’t work for Walmart). It’s just the generic for Bean-O, half cost but any brand is fine. It prevents gas and cramping from a variety of meals, beans, vegetable based dishes (broccoli, cauliflower, salads). Good for anyone with a sensitive stomach/GI tract/IBS flares from beans/our elders. Plus, give it to that gassy family member so you both can enjoy the soup. To cook: I let these beans soak in water overnight in a big Pyrex container. Then rinse well and toss the beans in the instant pot (along w/ any loosely chopped onions, celery, baby carrots, pre-peeled garlic (or use frozen garlic), and any optional stuff I have on hand like *unsalted broths, or sausages (I leave it whole, then remove it after cooking if it’s tough. It’s just for flavor), or ham bones/hock bone/leftover beef bones. TIP: SAVE the weekday ***ROTISSERIE chicken bones***. I literally use whatever is easiest, and that I have on hand. You can even add in things like “Great Value frozen sweet potato cubes” which are great if you suffer from arthritis and can’t chop potatoes. Maybe you want to try adding in “frozen soup mix vegetables”. Or “fresh pre-diced onions” etc, from the produce section. (If you can’t dice onions, so just loosely chop the onion into 4ths or have someone help chop it. But if not, it’ll still soften up) Hit start button on Instant pot and cook 30-40 minutes. Then unplug machine, and let it sit untouched for an additional 20-30 mins. (Slow cooker or stove has different cook settings and will take longer) DONT add salt (or seasonings that contain salt) until AFTER the beans are done cooking and soft! (Or beans can stay hard). After it’s done cooking, I season the soup by stirring in organic boullion, (maybe you like better than bouillon or have another on hand?), maybe a ‘frozen garlic cube’ if needed, Or other seasonings from the spice cabinet. Also, sprinkle on fresh or frozen herbs, or herb pastes in the tube from produce aisle, (great for those who have arthritis, or lack time).

What's not to like?! There's variety, nutrition, and a TON of flavor in these beans. My family prefers these cooked with the kielbasa-type sausage sliced up in it and a side of homemade cornbread. Most of them love the Cajun spice, but some think it's too spicy, so I usually put 1/2 a packet in and let the ones who have no taste buds left add more seasoning at the table. Everybody's happy!