Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried navy beans
7 c. water
1 ham bone
2 c. cubed, cooked smoked ham
1/4 c. minced onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
dash of pepper

Preparation

Rinse beans.
Heat beans and water to boiling; boil gently for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Cover; let stand 1 hour.
Add remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until beans are tender. (Add water if necessary.)
Remove bay leaf and ham bone.
Trim meat from bone; add to soup.
Season to taste.
Makes 7 servings (1 cup each).