Easy Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dry navy beans
6 c. water
8 c. water
1 (1 1/2 lb.) ham shank
1 c. chopped onions
1/4 c. fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. oregano leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 c. sliced carrots
1 bay leaf
1 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. mashed potato flakes

Preparation

Wash and sort beans; in 5-quart pan, combine beans and 6 cups water.
Bring to boil; reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; cover, let stand 1 hour, drain.
Add 8 cups water, ham shank, onions, parsley, salt, basil, pepper, nutmeg, garlic, oregano and bay leaf to beans.
Bring to boil, reduce heat; simmer 1 1/2 hours.
Remove from heat.
Remove meat, take from bone.
Return meat to soup; stir in carrots, celery and potato flakes until blended.
Return to heat; simmer covered for 20 to 30 minutes.
Remove bay leaf.