U. S. Senate Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb dried great northern bean
1 meaty ham bone
3 medium onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup instant potato flakes
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper

Preparation

Put beans and enough water to cover in pot.
Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and soak for 1 hour.
Drain and rinse beans.
In large pot, put beans, ham bone, and 3 quarts water.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat,cover and simmer for 2 hours.
Add next 5 ingredients.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for 1 hour.
Remove hambone.
Remove meat from bone and cut in small pieces.
Return to pot.
Heat through.