Recipe - White Bean Soup w/Ham

Makes 8 or more servings
Time: at least 1-1/2 hours

Add a ham bone to White Bean soup and proceed directly to heaven.

1 ham bone or 2 or 3 smoked ham hocks
3 C navy, pea, or other dried white beans, washed & picked over
12 C chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or water
2 medium onions, quartered
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
Minced fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Place the ham bone, beans, and stock or water together in a large saucepan or casserole and turn the heat to medium-high; add the onions. When this boils, turn the heat down to medium-low and cover partially. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very soft and any meat falling off the bone, at least 1 hour.
Turn off the heat; remove the bone from the pot and let cool slightly. Take all the meat off the bone, chop it, and set it aside. Mash or puree the beans, then return them to the pot along with the ham.
Reheat, season to taste, garnish, and serve.