This is tasty, filling and comforting on cold days. Of course we serve it with corn bread. At least four different kinds of beans. You can get packages of beans already containing different kinds especially for the soup. I just put in whatever I have in the pantry. Cover with l can tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth if you h ave it, water if you don't. I can Rotel if you like it spicy. Put in ham scraps. I always save them and freeze them after serving ham. Then add one half teaspoon of the following: cumin, basil, oregno, rosemary, Now add lteaspoon chili powder and one bay leaf. I always put in a coriander pod as well. Garlic to your individual taste and one chopped onion. I put all this in the crock pot early in the morning on high and by one or two o'clock it will be ready to eat and smells divine. Salt it when you are ready to eat it. I love crock pot cooking and would never be without them. I have three. Two small ones and a large one. the real beauty of a crock pot is that you don't have to watch your food cook. When I was working, I put food in on low and walked in the house smelling dinner already done that evening. I hope this turns out well for you. I am the kind of cook who puts in a little of this and a little of that, rarely using recipes.