It’s finally here!  Halloween!  The excitement here is not over candy or costumes, jack-o-lanterns or trick-or-treating.  It is over this family tradition – Witches Brew (Quick Bean Soup)!

This soup has been a Halloween tradition in my family for more than 50 years.  As kids, my mom began serving this to us on Halloween – a must before we were allowed to go to the school carnival or trick-or-treating.  It was warming and delicious, filled with beans, bacon, celery, tomatoes and hot dogs! (I admit, I am not usually a big fan of the ‘tube steak’ – but this soup – I could eat it daily!)  This has become such a hallowed tradition – that we are not allowed to make this soup prior to Halloween. . . .

And now, all of these years later, this delicious tradition – begun by mom – continues all across the country – as this soup is being prepared in the homes of her children and grandchildren.  There is something wonderful that happens to the family – as we all realize that parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are all making the same meal – and continuing a tradition that brought us together as a family around the dinner table.

There has not been a year, since my children have left home and started homes of their own that I don’t get a call or text -“Mom – I can’t find my recipe for ‘Witches Brew”. . . and so – I am posting this – for them and for you – for my grandchildren, nieces, nephews  –  and for mom.

Thank you mom – for being such a great believer in family traditions – and seeing that the things we loved most have been passed along.  In a few days, there will be tables from the Mid-West to the Pacific Northwest, Southern California to Texas, Arizona and the Rocky Mountains – filled with steaming bowls of ‘Witches Brew’ and pans filled with hot cornbread. . . . and realizing that those that they love and hold dear – family – are all doing the same thing. There is something so important here.  Although we are spread over thousands of miles, it still brings us home to mom’s table.  I have no doubt that this tradition will continue for years to come – and that this soup will be served in the homes of her great-grandchildren as well – as they have all become lovers of the ‘brew’.

Come join us at our table!

Happy Halloween,

Kathy

Witches Brew (Quick Bean Soup)

This soup is a family tradition. As a child, my mom served this every Halloween - and called it 'Witches Brew'. It is such a delicious tradition, that every Halloween - it is now being served by her grandchildren around the country. No doubt - it will be served in the homes of her great-grandchildren - for whom it is now an official part of Halloween. . . it's that good.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1 package Hot dogs
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional - I never use it)
• 4 strips bacon sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1/2 cup celery chopped
• 1 29 ounce can tomatoes diced, stewed, or whole - undrained
• 1 20 ounce can pork and beans
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons better than boullion - beef flavor or two beef boullion cubes
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

 

• Slice hot dogs into rosettes (slices) and set aside
• In a dutch oven or large pot, saute bacon, onion and celery. Add the remaining ingredients except hot dogs and simmer 20-30 minutes.
• Add the sliced hot dogs to the soup and simmer for 5-10 minutes to heat the hot dogs.
• Serve with hot cornbread.

Notes

This recipe is very flexible.  If you love hot dogs, add more.  If you love bacon, add more.  If you love celery, add more.  I never add the sugar - as baked beans are plenty sweet.  If you don't have worcestershire sauce, no problem. . . . It's that good and that flexible.