bill's navy bean soup

How To Make bill's navy bean soup

• Step 1
  Pick over the dried beans and discard any debris.
• Step 2
  Wash and drain and put beans in a large pot and cover with water.
• Step 3
  Let stand 8 hours or overnight.
• Step 4
  The next day, chop celery, carrots and onions into 1/4-inch pieces. (This is easier with a food processor).
• Step 5
  Drain beans and add vegetables, 5 cups water, ham hocks or ham bone, and pepper to taste and add salt if you wish.
• Step 6
  Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat for 3 hours or until beans are tender.
• Step 7
  Remove ham hocks and set aside to cool.
• Step 8
  Remove meat from bones and cut meat into half-inch pieces.
• Step 9
  Put 2 cups of the soup into a blender along with the butter and flour; puree.
• Step 10
  Pour this puree back in pan.
• Step 11
  Puree more of the soup if you prefer a smoother texture and add the chopped ham pieces back into the soup.
• Step 12
  Simmer for 15-20 minutes until soup is slightly thickened.
• Step 13
  Good when sprinkled with a few drops of hot pepper sauce just before serving.
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