Soup day gives me the opportunity to clean out the freezer. Homemade chicken stock, summer corn, baby lima beans and tomatoes put up a few months ago are ideal for a hearty beef and vegetable soup.

I've always added dried baby lima beans when I roast brisket. But lately, they won't soften, no matter how long I cook them. Soaking them first doesn't help. The only change is that I've been using a ...