Herbed Adzuki Bean Soup

Ingredients (serves 8-10)
2 cups dry aduki beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
4 Qts water
4 inch piece of kombu
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 onion, peeled and sliced
2 Tbs olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 thin slice of fresh ginger
2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp sea salt


Directions

1. Discard soaking water and rinse the adzuki beans.
2. Put the beans in a large soup pot with kombu and water.
3. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.
4. Add the carrots and cook 10 more minutes or until tender.
5. Saute the onions, ginger and garlic in the olive oil. Add the herbs and cook until the onions are soft. Add them to the simmering soup. Deglaze the pan with the lemon juice.
6. Stir in the sea salt and adjust seasoning to your taste.