Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

16 oz. pkg. navy or Northern beans
6 c. water
8 c. water
2 smoked ham hocks
1 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. parsley
1 tsp. each: salt and basil
1/2 tsp. each: pepper, nutmeg and oregano
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 c. chopped carrots
1 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. instant mashed potatoes

Preparation

Rinse beans.
In large Dutch oven combine beans with 6 cups water.
Bring to boil.
Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 2 minutes.
Let stand 1 hour; drain.
Add 8 cups water, hocks, spices and onion.
Bring to boil (covered).
Simmer 1 1/2 hours. Bone hocks; return to beans with vegetables and potato flakes. Stir to blend.
Simmer several hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.