Vegetarian 15-bean soup

I love the 15-bean soup mixes you can find at the store, but most of them come with a ham or "ham" flavoring packet. After a few unsuccessful experiments, I finally found the right mix of seasonings to make a delicious vegan soup!

In classic Lazy Vegetarian style, I use a crockpot to make this a minimally hands-on recipe.

• 1 (16-20 oz.) bag of 15-bean soup mix
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tsp. minced garlic (I use the refrigerated kind, but you could use fresh if you're ambitious)
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 can diced tomatoes (preferably no salt added)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary (crush between fingers before adding to release the flavor)
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• salt (to taste)
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 vegetarian bouillon cubes OR 2 tbsp. McKay's chicken seasoning

Discard the seasoning packet from the soup mix. Soak beans overnight in 8 cups water. In the morning, drain and rinse.

In the crockpot, combine beans, 8 cups water, onion, and garlic. Cook on low approx. 8 hours (longer shouldn't hurt as long as you have enough water). About 30 minutes before serving, add the remaining seasonings and turn crockpot to high.

Future variations I'd like to try:

• omit tomatoes and use diced potatoes instead (you'd have to add them earlier in the cooking process, I think)
• use lemon juice instead of the chili powder - or in addition

Aunt Marcia's Lentil Stew

We had this over Christmas while staying with Aunt Marcia, and WOW is it delicious!!

Bring 6 cups water to a boil and add the following ingredients:

• 1/3 c. brown rice
• 1/4 - 1/3 medium onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 8 shakes each: ground thyme & sage
• 1 Tbsp rosemary leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Set a timer for 40 minutes. At the 35-minute mark, add:

• 2/3 c. brown lentils
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 med. red potato, finely cubed

At the 25-30 minute mark, add:

• 1/3 c. red lentils
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

Elsie's Good Soup

This lacto-ovo* recipe, adapted from a family friend's, is a favorite on chilly winter evenings

This recipe does take a bit longer than most Lazy Vegetarian recipes, since it has to simmer for 45 minutes. Hands-on time is still under 20 minutes, though.

1 onion, sliced thinly or diced
1 can Superlinks*, diced
olive oil
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
4 cups water
1 envelope dried onion soup mix
20 oz. frozen or canned soup vegetables
2 Tbsp sugar

Brown onion and Superlinks in olive oil. Add remaining ingredients, and simmer 45 minutes.

*Superlinks do contain eggwhites, so this soup is lacto-ovo. I've tried making it with other vegetarian hot dogs, but Superlinks are by far the best.

Lentil Soup

The delicious Hungry Tiger site shares a quick and easy recipe for Red Lentil Soup.  Looks like a good one!

Incredibly Easy Black Bean Soup

To your tummy in 10 minutes or less
Vegan

2 cans (15 oz. ea.) Ranch Style brand black beans, undrained*
1 can (8.75 oz.) corn niblets, drained
1 cup chunky salsa

Combine ingredients. Warm on stovetop or in microwave until heated through. Garnish with vegan (or not) cheese shreds and/or sour cream. Quesadillas make a fine accompaniment!

*Or, if you're a real cheapskate like me:
1 can (15 oz.) Ranch Style brand black beans, undrained
1 can (15 oz.) plain black beans, undrained