Senate Bean Soup

This is my families favorite soup of all times!!!  This freezes really well.

2 Cups dry navy beans
12 Cups water
1 ham bone
2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 onion
2 stalks celery = one cup
1 clove garlic
dash of oregano
2 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (I've used the potato peals before)
Soak beans over night or cover with water and bring to boil.  Once at a boil take off heat and cover with lid and wait 1 hour, drain.  Or if you have a pressure cooker cook your beans in that first. Or use canned beans.  If you have pre-cooked beans your soup will be finished after a 1 hour of simmering.  You want the ingredients to blend together.

Add all ingredients except potatoes, simmer until beans are done.  Remove the ham bone. Add potatoes and stir until blended.  Serve.


I like to throw in extra gains while cooking.  Some that I have used before are, barley, oat groats, quinoa, millit, or kamut.  I usually put in anywhere from 1-2 cups.  If you are throwing them in uncooked make sure you add more water to you soup.