Cajun- 15 Bean Soup

16 ounces dried mixed beans (you can find these prepackaged in most grocery stores), rinsed
12 cups water
1 large onion -- chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic -- minced
juice of one lemon
15-ounce can stewed tomatoes
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1 1/2 teaspoons salt -- or to taste

place the washed beans in a pot with 12 cups of water and boil covered 60-75 minutes until beans are tender.
While the beans are boiling, brown the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic in a non-stick skillet.
Add onion mixture, stewed tomatoes, and lemon juice to beans along with the spices and simmer 30-45 minutes. (If you started the beans in the pressure cooker, add 2 cups water at this time too.) Add liquid smoke and salt at the end. Serve with bread or over rice, or just by itself, as I did.

Makes 4 Large Servings, or 6 Medium Servings.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user MRSKCRAIG.