This is the first in my #cheapandnutritious food series.
Beans, in particular dried beans, are some of the cheapest and most nutritious things you can eat. This recipe is a mishmash of several recipes that I love. Emeril's Gumbo Z'herbes is a favorite but we will add a 15-bean soup mix to up the nutrition and some smoked turkey legs and sausage too. I'm making a BIG batch so we can eat it for a few days or take some for lunch. Serve it with brown rice or cornbread muffins.
1 pkg of dried 15-bean soup mix, soaked overnight or using the quick soak method
1 pkg of smoked turkey legs
1 pkg ham hocks, optional
1 lb sausage, andouille or smoked, sliced
1 head of green cabbage, chopped
2 onions, chopped
5 stalks of celery, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2 T garlic, minced
1 bunch of kale, chopped
1 bunch of mustard greens, chopped
2 bunches of collards, chopped
1 bunch of turnip greens, chopped
enough to cover broth/water
bay leaves
In a stock pot, start sautéing onions, garlic, celery, and carrots, then add turkey, sausage, ham hocks and cook until hocks get some color and fat glistens and onion is transparent. Add all the greens and cabbage and cook down. Add beans and 20 cups of broth.
Add bay leaves, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper and the seasoning packet from the beans.
Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer for 2 hours or until the beans are tender.
Serve over rice with hot sauce and cornbread.
