Black Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. black beans
2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/2 stick butter
1 1/2 T. flour
1 c. chopped ham
3 sliced leeks
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
2 boiled eggs, chopped

Preparation

Pick over and wash beans.
Soak overnight in cold water to cover then drain.
Add 2 1/2 qts. water, cook over low heat about 1 1/2 hours.
In soup kettle, saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Blend in flour cook 1 minute.
Stir into beans gradually.
Add to this mixture the remaining ingredients.
Simmer about 3-4 hours.
Remove from heat, discard bay leaves.
If desired, add 1/2 c. Madeira.
When serving float a very thin slice of lemon on top of bowl of soup (optional).