U.S. Senate Bean Soup

• servings: 8-10 servings
• active time: 30 min
• total time: 5 hours

Ingredients

1 pound dried great northern beans

1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks

3 medium onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 celery stalks, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 cup mashed potatoes or 1/3 cup instant potato flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Parsley or chives for garnish

Directions

1.Place beans and enough water to cover in a saucepan; bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.

2. In a large kettle, place beans, ham bone or hocks and 3 qts. water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours.

3. Skim fat if necessary. Add onions, garlic, celery, parsley, potatoes, salt and pepper; simmer 1 hour longer.

4. Remove meat and bones from the soup. Remove meat from the bones; dice and return to kettle. Heat through.

5. Garnish with parsley or chives. Yield: 8-10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).