Senate Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz.) pkg. Jack Rabbit navy beans
2 qt. water
1 to 1 1/2 smoked ham shank
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. oregano leaves
1 tsp. basil leaves
1 tsp. salt

Preparation

Soak beans as directed on package.
Combine beans, water and ham shank in large deep pot.
Simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours. Remove 1 cup beans; place in small bowl and mash well.
Remove ham shank; trim meat off bone.
Return mashed beans and meat to pot. Add remaining ingredients; simmer an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until beans are tender and soup has thickened.
Makes 10 (1-cup) servings.