Thick Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb navy bean
• 7 cups water
• 3 stalks celery
• 3 carrots
• 1 large onion
• 4 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic granules
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 ham bone

Directions

1. 1

   Either soak beans over night or quick soak by covering beans with 2 inches of water, bringing to a boil for 2 minutes and letting set for 1 hour.

2. 2

   Drain and rinse beans, add all ingredients, except for the potatoes.

3. 3

   Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

4. 4

   Remove ham bone and pick off meat, give ham bones to dog.

5. 5

   Return ham to soup along with potatoes.

6. 6

   Cook for 1/2 hour more or until potatoes are tender.

7. 7

   Take a potato masher and mash the potatoes and some of the beans, this makes a wonderfully thick soup.

8. 8

   Serve with either crackers or corn muffins. Enjoy!

9. 9

   Oh yea, salt and pepper to taste!