Old-Fashioned New England Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. dried Great Northern beans
6 c. cold water
1/4 lb. lean bacon, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a large soup pot, soak beans overnight in water to cover or use quick soak method*.
Drain and add cold water, bacon, celery, onion and carrot.
Simmer, covered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until beans are tender.
Add salt and pepper and serve.
Yields 1 1/2 quarts.