US Senate Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 c navy beans
• 2 ham bones with some meat
• 3 qt water
• 12 c mashed potatoes
• 3 onions finely chopped
• 1 bunch celery stalks and tops finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 14 c parsley finely chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Wash beans Cover with cold water and soak overnight then drain Turn into heavy kettle with ham bone and water 3 quarts Simmer 2 hours
2. Add mashed potatoes onions celery garlic and parsley Simmer an additional 1 hour or until beans are soft and tender Remove ham bone Cut off meat and chop coarsely Return to soup and season to taste with salt and pepper