Red Pottage - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup dried great northern beans
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, sliced
1 celery rib, sliced
1 beet, boiled, peeled and sliced
4 tomatoes, sliced
2 quarts stock (or water)
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon of fresh mint, finely chopped

Preparation

Soak the beans overnight in water to cover. Drain well.
Melt butter in a large saucepan, add beans and vegetables. Saute gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add stock (or water) and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, skimming if necessary. Simmer at least 3 hours, or until the beans are mushy.
Remove and discard any portions of the beet slices, and pass the mixture through a sieve, to make a smooth textured soup.
Serve hot, garnished with mint.