Peppy Dried Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb. dried beans (of choice)
1/2 lb. chopped smoked ham
3/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/3 c. chopped green bell pepper
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, crushed (optional)
1/4 c. butter or margarine
Black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 to 6 drops Tabasco sauce

Preparation

Cover the beans with water and soak overnight or at least 6 hours.
Drain.
Add ham, onion, celery, bell pepper, parsley, bay leaves and garlic.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Reduce to low heat and cook for about 2 hours. Add the butter, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce.
Continue cooking over low heat for an additional hour or until tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.