Maebelle's Soups

AUNTIE MAEBELLE'S
SOUP KITCHEN!

PORTUGUESE BEAN SOUP
Ingredients
3 medium size smoked ham hocks
2 sliced Portuguese sausage
2 onions, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
3 large potatoes, (cut in walnut size pieces)
2 cans kidney beans
1 can chopped tomatoes, with basil
2 crushed bay leaves
3 beef flavor bouillon cubes (herb/ox brand)
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Method
Boil ham hocks, onions & carrots in enough water to cover the ham hocks. Add beef bouillon cubes and bay leaves. boil until meat is tender. When meat is tender remove and cut into bite size chunks and return to the pot. Add sliced sausage, tomatoes, potatoes and kidney beans. Cook until potatoes are tender. Season to taste.
(Other veggies; such as, cabbage or watercress may be added to this soup)

OX TAIL SOUP
(Auntie Maebelle's Favorite)
Ingredients
3 pounds - Ox tail
8 dried mushrooms (cut in quarters)
Small piece of dry orange peel (found in Asian markets)
1/2 pound raw shelled peanuts
6 Qt. water
3 beef flavor bouillon cubes (I used Steero Brand)
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Method
Cook Oxtails at least 3 hours. Cool down and refrigerate over night!
Next day, skim off fat, add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
Cook at least 3-4 hours until Oxtails are tender.
Season to taste. SERVE HOT!
(Note: I remember my Mom making this soup---It has always been my favorite!)

MISO SOUP
Ingredients
1/2 cup dry shrimp
1 large meaty pork bone
8 cups water
1 cup Miso
2 blocks - Tofu chopped
4 green onions - chopped
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Method
Bring dry shrimp, pork bone and water to rolling boil.
Simmer until pork bone is cooked. Scoop out bone. Add 1 cup Miso to boiling stock. Let this come to a rolling boil. Add blocks of chopped Tofu, pinch of salt (optional) and cook 5 min.
Add chopped green onions.
(Note: You can also add noodles to make it into a meal)