Delicious Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. navy beans, dried (2 c.)
2 1/2 qt. water
1 (1 1/2 lb.) meaty ham bone
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small bay leaf
1 c. cubed potatoes
1 c. celery, sliced
1 c. onion, chopped
1 c. carrots, cubed
salt
pepper

Preparation

Boil the beans in water for 2 minutes and remove from heat; let stand for 1 hour.
Then add the ham bone, garlic and bay leaf to the beans and cover and simmer for 2 hours or until they are tender.
Add vegetables and salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 1 hour longer.
Remove ham bone; cut off the meat and dice it; add to beans.
Reheat soup to boiling and then remove bay leaf.
Serve.