Portuguese Bean Soup

"I would given this 5 stars, but while I'm making this, it dawned on me that you did not have macaroni pasta in this recipe. Also, I made sure there was enough water to cover my ham hocks/sausages (I a..." See morelso used two packages of portuguese sausage (not linguica, it falls apart to easily) as the sausage is the flavoring for the soup. I like that you added stewed tomatoes, gotta have that!! As for the macaroni, that should not be optional, the cabbage actually could be optional. And remember, cabbage soaks up your liquid, so you may have to add more water during the simmering processes. I drained my kidney beans, to take out some of the sodium, but thats not necessary. All in all, this is a great hearty soup, with or w/o cabbage; with or w/o macaroni pasta. (if your gonna add the pasta, for this recipe, a couple of handfuls is all you'll need. if u add the whole bag, or 1-lb, it will soak up all your liquid and you definitely do not want that to happen). Thanks for this recipe! YUMMY"

"was reading another review here...traditional Portuguese soup....from when i grew up in Hawaii and which my grandmother is absolutely famous for....NEVER had pasta of any kind in it. this is her reci..." See morepe to a T. it is perfect. noodles would totally kill it for me. :)"

"Thanks Pikala, Quick and easy. In the winter I can go right down the street here in Fatima, Portugal and order this off the menu at most restaurants. When I make this at home I use less water because..." See more we enjoy it more like a stew. The only the sausage changes as you move around Portugal. We would add nothing to your Grandmothers traditional Portuguese recipe she got it right."