Senate Bean Soup

Senate Bean Soup is the famous soup served in the Senate dining room in Washington, DC.

Yield: 4 quarts

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy, Great Northern or pea beans
• 1 large smoked ham hock
• 3 potatoes, cooked and mashed
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Wash beans and cover with 5 quarts water. Bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.
2. Bring again to boil and simmer, covered, for 2 hours, or until beans begin to mush.
3. Add all ingredients, except salt and pepper, and simmer for 1 hour longer.
4. Remove bone, cut up meat and return to soup. Season.