Thayer in the Kitchen

I'm on a dried bean kick at the moment. This recipe made a very satisfying soup. 1 pound dried baby lima beans, soaked over night 2 carrots, sliced thin 2 small – medium onions, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, sliced 1/4 cup parsley, chopped ½ pound smoked turkey in a thick slice, cut into ½ inch cubes 2 tablespoons canola oil ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne 1 bay leaf 2 cups chicken broth 4 cups water Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Optional: ½ cup bread crumbs 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese--I actually used some goat milk cheddar that I had which worked fine ½ cup chopped fresh parsley Heat oil in a pot and sauté onions, carrots and celery until softened. Add bay leaf and cayenne and cook another minute or so. Drain and rinse beans and add to pot. Add broth and water. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer. Check beans at one hour and every 10 minutes until they are soft. Using a wooden spoon or spatula mash some beans against the side of the pot, stirring until soup is slightl...