On one  of his many trips to the grocery store this week, Jon made his habitual pass past the meat. “I am always looking for cheap meat.” Smoked Pork Neck! “What the heck is that? Well, I don’t need it, but I am up for the challenge.” When he got home he searched for recipes and found a site called cheapassfood.com and a recipe called “Hearty Bean Soup with Smoked Pork Neck,” just perfect for a rainy Saturday. He did make a few small changes to the original recipe. Total cost- $3.80, with enough to last several meals.

1 lb 16 bean dry mix

1 large onion chopped

2 celery stalks

2 medium carrots, unpeeled

2/3 jalapeno, with seeds

5 cloves garlic, chopped

3/4 lb smoke pork neckbones

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

2 bay leafs

1 sprig of Rosemary

Fresh basil

Soak bean mixture in water overnight “to get the farts out.” Sautee in the soup pot, onion, celery, carrots, jalapeno and garlic in a tablespoon of Olive Oil, until onions and celery are softened. Rinse and add beans. Add pork neck bones, chicken broth, water, rosemary, basil and bay leafs. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low, 3 hours. Remove bay leaves and any stems from the herbs. Remove neck bones, separate meat and return to soup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Saltines.