Hi Nikki,

Don't know where you had Portuguese Bean Soup, but it's not something eaten in Portugal: it was developed by Portuguese immigrants in Hawaii. Here's one recipe.

Portuguese Bean Soup
Serves 8

(Soak beans overnight.)
2 ham hocks
water
1/2 pound kidney or small red beans, soaked overnight
1 Portuguese sausage (linguica) or Italian sausage,(about 10 ounces), sliced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 large onion, sliced
3 ribs celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
2 russet potatoes, cut in 3/4" cubes
1 clove garlic, minced
pepper
allspice to taste
1/2 head cabbage, shredded

1- Cover ham hocks with water and cook 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove; shred meat and discard bones and fat.
2- Add beans to liquid and cook 1 hour.
3- Meanwhile, microwave sausage just until cooked. Drain.
4- Add ham and sausage to soup, and remaining ingredients except cabbage. Cook until vegetables are almost tender.
5- Add cabbage and simmer 10 minutes longer.