The Ultimate 15 Bean Soup Recipe: Cozy

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) 15 bean soup mix (or a blend of your favorite dried beans like navy, pinto, black, kidney, great northern, lima, lentils)
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 smoked ham hock (about 1-1.5 pounds)
• 8 cups (2 liters) chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 2 cups (500ml) water
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Crusty bread (optional)