Old Fashioned Navy Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. white dry Great Northern beans
2 qt. cold water
1 meaty ham hock or 1/2 c. chopped bacon or ham
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
1/4 c. chopped celery

Preparation

Wash beans and place in a large kettle. Cover with the 2 quarts of cold water.
Simmer for 3 minutes and then allow to soak for 1 hour. Add ham, salt, pepper, bay leaves, carrot and celery. Cover and simmer for 3 1/2 hours. Add onion during the last 1/2 hour. Mash beans slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.