Many Bean Soup

Ingredients
2 cups bean mix (see below)
8 cups water (or use part vegetable broth)
1 large onion, chopped
2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 4-oz jar pimentos
2 T. soy sauce
dash of liquid smoke (optional)
salt to taste

Rinse the bean mix in a strainer. Presoak in water overnight OR quick soak as follows: Place in a pot of water to cover, bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes, turn off heat and allow to soak for 1 hour. Drain the beans again, and place in slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, and water. Cook for 8 to 10 hours on low, or 4 to 6 hours on high. 15 to 30 minutes before serving, add the tomatoes, pimentos, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and salt. If you want to, you can also add vegetarian "ham" or "sausage".

Bean Mix
Feel free to substitute. What's important is to have a mix of colors, shapes, and sizes--that's what makes this soup so appealing. If you want to do it the easy way, the grocery store sells 1-lb bags of mixed beans. To make your own large supply--either to keep in the pantry or to give as gifts--combine 8 lbs of beans and 1 lb of barley in a large container. The following work well:

pinto beans
kidney beans
black beans
blackeyed peas
lima beans
garbanzo beans
lentils
split peas
pearl barley