Delicious Ham and Bean Soup

 I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook that my sister gave me some time back, and it has now become one of my favorites. It is full of flavor, and is so simple to make. 

Delicious Ham and Bean Soup

1 lb. (2 cups) navy beans, dried *

1 meaty ham bone (1 1/2 lb.)

7 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1 cup cubed carrots 

Cook beans in 2 1/2 quarts of water for 2 minutes. Remove

from heat; let stand 1 hour. Add ham bone and minced garlic.  

Cover and simmer 2 hours or until almost tender. Add vegetables, 

salt and pepper to taste; simmer 1 hour more. Remove ham bone and 

cut off meat. Dice meat and add to beans. Reheat to almost boiling. 

*Can also use 2-3 16 oz. cans of beans in place of the dried beans.