Congressional Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried small white beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 each meaty ham bone
• 1 cup celery -- finely chopped
• 1 each onion -- finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley -- finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 each bay leaf

Preparation:

• In large pan, heat beans in water.
• Boil gently for 2 minutes, turn off heat and let stand 1 hour.
• Pour into slow-cooking pot.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Cover and cook on low for 12 to 14 hours or until beans are very soft.
• Remove bay leaf and ham bone.
• Cut meat off bone, return meat to beans.
• Serve hot.