Recipe!!

Today I am experimenting... our food money has greatly decreased due to my coming home from working for 9.5 years.  I am having to get creative with food - it's actually fun and challenging...  Here is what we are having for supper tonight...

1 pkg. dried Northern beans (I guess you could use whatever kind you want)
Soak them overnight
In a big pan saute 1 chopped onion and two or three cloves of garlic (depends on your taste) in olive oil.  Not alot of oil... 
Add chicken broth (I use homemade - cheaper :) ) I used probably 4 - 6 cups but it depends on how much soup you want to make.  I did add about 3 c. of water.  Add soaked beans (I also added about 3/4 c. of lenitls) and bring to a boil.  Then simmer.  About two hours into it I added some seasoned raw chicken breasts (two) cut into chunks.  Then I added 4 peeled and diced potatoes also.  Turned it up to 3 for a bit then back down to simmer.  About 1 hour later I added some leftover brown rice.  The last 45 minutes or so I will add some Chinese cabbage and let that cook... maybe some Swiss Chard also.  So tasty.  I will add salt and pepper at the end - or let each person season his own.  We have fresh made rye bread to go with it. 

I know this is not a recipe per se - but when I cook I just cook - never measuring anything... there is much room for adding whatever you'd like - If I'd had celery I'd cut some up and put it in with the onions too.  Maybe even a carrot or two.  And if I had  a small can of tomatoes or a fresh one I'd put it in also.  The beauty of soups - you can add just what you have/want and it will still tasted good!! :)  Hope you enjoy some.