Of course, everyone has their ideas, please feel free to improvise for your family!

For Taco Soup

Soak dried beans overnight. Dump the water and rinse the beans and place in a pot on the stove. Cover the beans with 2-3 inches of water. Bring the beans and water to a boil. Simmer on medium about an hour plus (for softer beans). You should have ready to put in the crockpot the beans and maybe 3-4 cups of bean enriched fluid. Put in the crockpot and stir in spice packet, cooked hamburger, hominy(or corn) and green chilies (optional). Cook on High for 1 hour and then low all day......serve as suggested on recipe.

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For Old-Fashioned White Bean with Ham Soup

Soak dried beans overnight. Dump the water and rinse the beans and place in a pot on the stove. Cover the beans with recipe recommended amount of water and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium about an hour plus (for softer beans). Transfer to crockpot and stir in spice packet and add ham or ham hock. Cook on High for 1 hour and then low all day......serve as suggested on recipe.

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For Black Bean Soup and Santa Fe Dipping Soup

Soak dried beans overnight. Dump the water and rinse the beans and place in a pot on the stove. Cover the beans with recipe recommended amount of water and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium about an hour plus (for softer beans). Transfer to crockpot and stir in spice packet. Cook on High for 1 hour and then low all day......serve as suggested on recipe.