Recipe: US Senate Bean Soup

Recipes using Nina Chopped Garlic

• 2 1/2 to 3 cups small dry navy beans
• 3 quarts water
• 1 meaty ham bone
• 1/2 cup mashed potatoes, seasoned
• 3 regular onions, chopped Sm.
• 4 to 5 stalks crispy celery, minced
• 1 tsp chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 1/4 cup minced parsley
• Salt and pepper

1. Soak beans overnight in plenty of water (2" over bean level). Pour off water.
2. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil; add beans and ham bone and 1/4 teaspoon of soda.
3. Simmer 1 hour until beans show some sign of getting a little tender.
4. Add mashed potatoes and mix until smooth.
5. Add onion, celery, garlic, and parsley and simmer a second hour or until beans are soft.
6. Add hot water if you need to, but you want a thick soup.
7. Remove ham bone and dice the meat. Get rid of the fat.
8. Return the diced ham to the pot.
9. Salt and pepper to taste, depending on the saltiness of the ham.
10. Garnish with lemon slices.