navy_bean_soup dosquatch 1 lb dried great northern beans * 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped onion 4 cups ham_stock ** 4 cups water salt_and_pepper to taste Sort and clean the beans *. Place in a bowl, cover with water, and allow to soak until rehydrated. I soak mine overnight. Drain beans prior to cooking. Bring water and ham_stock to a boil. Add the soaked and drained beans, return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours (until beans start to break down). Stir occasionally. You may need to replenish the water every so often - I keep a tea kettle on low so I'm adding warm water rather than quenching my pot with cold. After the beans begin to break, STOP REPLENISHING WATER. Add vegetables. Raise heat to a fast simmer, cook for about another 20-30 minutes until you have about 6 cups of soup total. Remove from heat. * other beans (pintos, split peas, 13 bean soup mix) also work well and can be substituted if you wish ** if you have made and/or are using ham_stock, you may add the meat from the soup bone at the beginning. If you don't feel like making stock, Better_than_Boullion Ham Base also works well. 080727 ... . linkfix 080727 what's it to you? who go blather from