Bean soup

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.