'IN THE PINK' ~ BRANDIED BEAN & SAUSAGE CHOWDER (NATIONAL SOUP MONTH)

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy Thoughts of Early Spring

_______________

BRANDIED BEAN & SAUSAGE CHOWDER

~ Perfect Winter fare, sure to make you 'happy'

2 lbs. special bean soup mix

(e.g. '16' bean assortment --- with large lima, navy, red kidney, baby lima, great northern, speckled lima, black, pinto, cranberry, pink, and black-eyes peas, green and yellow split peas, lentils, etc. )

3 lbs bulk Italian sausage (one plain, one hot or spicy and one fennel )

3 quarts organic chicken broth

1 large chopped Spanish onion

3 large chopped garlic cloves

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 large chopped green pepper

1 large chopped red pepper

1 lb. peeled and diagonally sliced carrots

1 can (28-ounce) Italian style diced tomatoes

1 jar (32-ounce) sugar-free pasta sauce

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 cup chili powder

1 Tbsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. basil

1 tsp. marjoram

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. crushed rosemary

2 whole bay leaves

freshly ground cracked pepper to taste

Lawry's Seasoned Pepper to taste

coarse salt to taste

juice of large lemon

1 hefty cup brandy

• Wash and soak beans. Cover with cold water and soak 2 hours or overnight. Drain. In large pot, bring beans to boil in enough cold water to cover and simmer gently about 45 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
• While beans are cooking, saute sausage in large stockpot, breaking up large pieces. Cook until browned. If too lean, add a bit of olive oil. Drain off excess grease leaving a few scant Tbsp. Saute onion, garlic, and peppers. Carefully pour in chicken broth. Bring to boil.
• Add parsley, carrots, canned tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, brown sugar and seasonings. Reduce heat. Add drained beans and simmer one hour or until beans are tender. Stir in brandy before serving and adjust seasonings.

This hearty soup is great served with crusty sourdough or heavy multi-grained bread. (don't forget the sweet butter or, better yet, a dish of balsamic infused olive oil topped with crushed red pepper flakes.)

'In the Pink'

(Home & Garden)

______

"Almost all words do have color and nothing is more pleasant than to utter a pink word and see someone's eyes light up and know it is a pink word for him or her too."

~ Gladys Taber