Day-old bread thickens this soup from Cathy Whims of Nostrana in Portland, giving it a custardy texture. The soup has a spicy kick, so cut back on the chile flakes if you'd prefer a milder flavor.
I make this hearty soup using the ham bone from our Easter spiral ham. It makes a huge pot of soup, so invite some friends or just freeze several portions for later use.
Four kinds of beans and plenty of seasonings make this chunky chili a crowd-pleaser, particularly on autumn days. 'Serve bowls sprinkled with your favorite shredded cheese,' suggests Judith Whitford of East Aurora, New York.
This wonderful vegetable and lima bean soup lives up to its name. You must allow 1 1/2 hours of simmer time, and the lima beans must be soaked for two hours prior to cooking, but the results are well worth the time.