Ham Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. mixed beans
1 ham bone (with some meat on the bone)
1 large onion
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes
2 Tbsp. salt
coarse ground pepper, basil and bay leaves

Preparation

Rinse beans, then cover with water and add 2 tablespoons salt to taste.
Cover and soak overnight or may bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and soak for 1 hour.
Drain water.
Add to beans 2-quarts water, bay leaves, basil, onion (coarsely chopped) and ham bone.
Boil slowly, covered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Add tomatoes, juice and all.
Simmer about 1/2 hour more, covered.
Remove ham bone, putting back into soup any ham still clinging to bone.
Serve hot.