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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Smoky Yellow Eye Bean Soup

Well.  It's official.  I am now closer to 40 than to 30.  My daughter and I were talking this morning before she set off for school...they're working on rounding in math right now...about how she would round me up to forty.  Technically, she would have last year, as well.  But somehow that six following the three is more in your face than the five was.  And really, it's not that I mind being older.  Thirties is a good block, so far.  I don't feel much older.  Sure, in certain ways I do.  But looking in the mirror, it's easy to see past the extra pounds, the creeping grey hairs, and gravity at play. While those who didn't know me back then probably can't imagine, I still see that girl I was 15-20 years ago.  Have I mentioned recently how quickly time flies?  Oh.  Yes.  Yes, I have.

So, though time marches on, some things never change.  Like my love for beans and pork together.  They are just the perfect match.  I used Yellow Eye beans for the first time to make a big pot of soup that, when combined with some savory smoked pork necks and the slow heat of smoky chipotles, formed a big bowl of comfort that we didn't want to stop eating.  While I served it with some Seeded Mixed Brown bread the first day (and thoroughly enjoyed it), we greedily devoured it the second day.  Why?  Well, because the beans had begun to break down a bit and thicken up the soup and the smokiness of the pork and chipotles intensified, as did the heat.  But the clincher?  That was the slightly sweet, orange-scented Pan de Muerto that wound up being the best thing ever for sopping up the glorious broth.

It's true, some things are ageless.  Like true beauty.  And the combination of pork and beans.  My brain works in mysterious ways.  
Smoky Yellow Eye Bean Soup
As is the case with most soups, this is even better the second or even third day.  The beans start to break down and thicken the smoky broth, making it basically irresistible.
from the kitchen of girlichef
serves: ~6-8

1 lb. Yellow Eye Beans
(~12 oz) smoked pork neck pieces (or neck, hock, etc)
2 small onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
freshly ground black pepper
3 fresh bay leaves
small handful thyme sprigs
8 c. water
salt
garlic powder
1-2 chipotles en adobo, chopped
1-2 Tbs. adobo sauce (from a tin of chipotles)
Cover beans with water by a couple of inches.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Drain, rinse, and put in a large Dutch oven with the smoked pork necks, onions, carrots, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, a few good grinds of black pepper, and the water.  Bring to a boil, then partially cover, lower to a simmer and cook for ~1-1½ hours, until beans are tender.

Season to taste with salt and garlic powder.  Stir in the chipotles and adobo sauce (start with the lower amount and increase to add more heat).  At this point, remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.  You can remove the pork necks and pull off the meat and add it back to the soup.  I do this if I'm serving it to company or taking it somewhere.  However, we usually just leave them in at home...hubby likes to eat it right from the bone.  
Speaking of time flying, it simultaneously seems like just yesterday...and ages ago...that I hung out with college buddies, drinking beer from a keg out of plastic cups.  Guess who I'm rooting for on Survivor every week!?
That's me on the far right with Jim (& Lisa)...way before Survivor.  Time flies!

I am sharing this post with:
MLLA is being hosted Simona at Briciole this month.
MLLA41 Souper_Sundays2 Miz- Helen-Badge-ALT5 foodfriday SundayNightSoupNight

Would you like to comment?

  1. Mmmm pork & beans!

    I'm enjoying being over 30, but now I have to put an 8 after the 3 it's less fun.

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  2. I hear ya...the white hairs don't match how old I THINK I am! This soup is classic though!

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  3. Sometimes all math is good for is a slap in the face. Now beans and pork...never a let down.

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  4. I guess 30's is the new teenager years. At least to me. :)

    You are about on time with those beans. This cool weather is in need of a pot of beans.

    Take care.

    Mely

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  5. You know I would come calling if you made soup - and what glorious soup. Bookmarked. I think I will need a lot of comfort through soup this winter! I am done with 40's - but Heather - they were just grand. Finish your 30's happily and watch the best that is yet to come.

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  6. "Smokey" and "soup"--two of my favorite words. Ahhh. That's so cool about Survivor!

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  7. I felt the same when I turned 36 a couple months ago...just another year closer to 40. Ha! Remember when 40 used to sound so old? Nowadays 60 doesn't sound so bad :)

    This soup looks wonderful. As a total bean fanatic I know that I would love it.

    I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

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  8. Yeah....40 doesn't sound old at all. Age is only a number for me!! Think about it as getting wiser:)
    I have never used this bean before but the soup looks comforting and smooth!!

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  9. Qué rica sopita, éstos frijoles no los conocía están bonitos, bonitos!!! qué rico y nutritivo!!
    Gracias!!

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  10. I owe you a happy birthday! Like the post too.

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  11. This looks like a super soup for supper. We often eat soup with fresh bread for dinner, and this seems like an ideal hearty soup for that.

    It's funny that I thought often about my daughter getting older as she was growing up, but not really thinking that yes, I'm getting older too, lol.

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  12. Looks delicious... loved the clicks..

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  13. pork and beans...been a while since i made them myself. i think it's "that time" again. i haven't thought of adding adobo sauce, though ... definitely a must try for me! :)

    thanks so much for sharing your delicious soup over at Food Friday, Heather!
    enjoy the rest of the week!

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  14. I can definitely see the younger Heather in the Heather of now...you've still got those vibrant cheerful eyes!

    This soup looks incredibly delicious! Stick to your soul good!

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  15. Hi, this looks mouthwatering! I'm hosting a weekly blog carnival specifically for soups, stocks and chowders, every Sunday. I would love it if you would come over and post this recipe or any other of your soup recipes. Here's a link with more info.

    http://easynaturalfood.com/2011/10/17/introducing-sunday-night-soup-night/

    I hope to see you there!
    Debbie

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  16. When I first read this, I thought it said "Smokey Eye Soup". I was immediately intrigued. And even when the title became clearer, I remained intrigued! Good recipe!

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  17. Isn't he the one that owns a Medical Marijuana Dispensary? I'm really enjoying this season of Survivor and do like your friend. Now aren't you glad you saved those pictures? :) This soup sounds really good. I've never heard of Yellow Eye beans. And you know me and chipotle ... And by the way, my 93 year old mother would chuckle at this post. (wink)

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  18. @Lee Ann...yes, that's him =) In Colorado, I believe! Yeah, I have so many old photos floating around. I've saved them way back from elementary school. Chipotle was definitely the perfect compliment to the smoky pork and bean combo. And I know, I know...93- that's so rockin'!

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  19. Wait until you pass 40, then it's like being on a river rock covered in algae....a slippery slope, lol.

    That yellow bean soup is rustic and looks like it would leave me miserably full, in a great way.

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  20. Very cool that you know someone on Survivor. ;-) This looks so good--I love smoky bean soups. Yum!  Thanks for sharing with Souper Sundays. 

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  21. Perfection - love everything in this soup.

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  22. Hi Heather,
    Your Smoky Yellow Eye Bean Soup looks delicious. I would just love the smoky flavor of this hearty soup. I pinned your post and can't wait to try the recipe.
    Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon.
    Miz Helen

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  23. I am in "soup love" with your latest posts.  I want to eat at your house.  :)

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  24. I have some yellow eye beans in my cupboard, which I bought because I like their look, but have not yet decided what to do with them, so your recipe arrives at the right time. And I'll remember about it tasting better the next day.  Thank you so much for your contribution to MLLA.

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  25. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe with Sunday Night Soup Night. I'll be hosting weekly through fall and winter, so I'd love to see you again with your next soup/stock/chowder recipe!

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  26. Oh I love the idea of this with chipotle!

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