_6 servings_
1½ cups dry beans
7 cups water
Ham pieces or ham bone
1 small onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Boil beans in the water for 2 minutes; remove from heat. Let soak in
cooking water 1 hour, or overnight if preferred.
Add remaining ingredients. Simmer, covered, until beans are soft, about
2 to 3 hours.
Remove ham bone and partially mash beans before serving soup.
_Menu suggestion_
Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, and apple pie with cheese.