Mom's Ham Bone Bean Soup

This is the bean soup my mom used to make whenever we'd finished a ham -- using the ham bone makes a wonderful stock for the soup. enjoy!!

Soak beans according to package directions , either overnight , or quick 1 hour soak.

Drain and rinse beans.

Add water , ham bone and broths to beans in stockpot.

Cut 1 stalk of celery into 3 pieces and add to beans along with chopped onion and bay leaves.

Bring to boil , cover partially , lower heat and simmer 90 minutes , or until beans are tender.

Remove bay leaves and celery.

Add tomatoes , chopped carrots and other two stalks of celery , chopped finely.

Remove bone and take off any remaining ham and chop finely.

Add additional ham if needed to make 2 cups and add to soup.

Use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend slightly , thickening the soup with the mashed beans.

Great served with a dolop of horseradish.

navy beans, ham bone, cooked ham, onion, carrots, celery ribs, bay leaves, pepper, water, beef broth, chicken broth, diced tomatoes