Neighborhood Ham And Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups dried great northern beans
5 cups chicken broth (low sodium is best)
3 cups water
1 large meaty ham bone (I use 2 or 3 smoked ham hocks)
2 -3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon dried savory
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped (I also put in a handful of the chopped celery leaves)
1 large potato, cut into cubes (optional, but very good)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preparation

Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2\".
Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain.
Add broth, water, ham bone, bouillon and seasonings; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours (I find I usually add at least an hour to this).
Saute' onions, carrots and celery in oil; add to soup along with cubed potato (if using).
Cover and simmer 1 hour longer.
Debone ham and cut into chunks; return to soup.
Skim fat (I find I don't have any to skim).
I like to mash some of the beans once they get soft. My total cooking time is more like 6 hours than 4 hours.
Great served with corn bread.