Senate Bean Soup

This classic soup, born from the halls and cafeteria of the US Senate, is a hearty addition to any home kitchen.

Makes 3 quarts, about 10 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound (2 cups) dry navy beans
• 1 meaty ham bone or 1-1/2 pounds ham hocks
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2/3 cup mashed potato flakes or 1-1/2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon each, nutmeg, oregano, and basil
• 1 bay leaf

Preparation

1. Wash and sort beans.
2. In a large kettle, cover beans with 6 to 8 cups of hot water. Bring to a boil; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour.
3. Add another 2 quarts of cold water and ham bone. Bring to a boil; simmer 1 – 1/2 hours.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until beans are tender.
5. Remove ham bone, trim off meat, return to soup.