New Year's Day Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Black-eyed peas -- dried
• 2 quarts Water -- more if needed
• 1 Ham bone with "trimmings"
• 3 Onion,medium -- chopped
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Pepper

Preparation:

• Wash the beans well in cold water several times, then place in a large, heavy stew pot and cover with water.
• Allow to soak overnight.
• The next morning (start early - beans like to take their time), pour off the soaking water, and ham bone, 8 cups of water, onion and seasonings.
• Put on the back of the stove and let simmer gently until beans are very tender, usually about 4 hours.
• Add more water if needed.
• Remove and discard ham bone.
• If the water looks a bit scant pour in 1-2 cups more.
• When beans are good and tender remove about a cupful of the beans and mash well with some of the bean liquid.
• Return mashed beans to pot, taste for seasoning, and serve steaming hot over freshly cooked white rice.