JEFF’S BEAN SOUP
INGREDIENTS
1 pound dried Great Northern beans
1 meaty ham bone or 2-3 smoked ham hocks
3 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup mashed potatoes or 1/3 cup instant potato flakes
1/4 cup fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste, parsley or chives for garnish
Soak beans according to package directions, usually overnight.
Place beans and enough water to cover in a saucepan; bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Drain & rinse beans, place in large kettle, add ham bone or hocks and 3 quarts water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover & simmer for 2 hours. Skim fat if necessary. Add other ingredients and simmer for another hour. Remove bone or hocks to cut meat from them. Dice meat and return meat to kettle. Simmer for another hour, stirring occasionally.
Serves 8.