Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dry navy beans
2 qt. cold water
1 meaty ham bone
1/2 tsp. salt
6 whole black peppers
1 bay leaf
1 medium onion

Preparation

Thoroughly wash beans. Add water. Soak overnight (or simmer 2 minutes, then soak 1 hour).
Don't drain. Add ham bone, salt, peppers and bay leaf. Cover and simmer about 3 to 3 1/2 hours, adding sliced onion the last 1/2 hour.
Remove ham bone.
Mash beans slightly using potato masher.
Cut ham off bone. Return to soup. Season to taste.
Makes 6 servings.