NAVY BEAN WITH HAM SOUP, BY HEATHER N.

Steps:

• Place beans in bowl, add just enough water to cover. Soak 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Stock:.
• Place ham shank in crockpot and add just enough water to cover,.
• Add coarsely chopped carrots and celery.
• Add salt.
• Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Makes about 2 quarts of stock.
• Remove bone and meat, reserve. Strain broth into container. Refrigerate.
• Soup:.
• Add beans to crockpot.
• Skim fat off of stock. Add all stock to crockpot.
• Add chopped carrots, celery and diced onion.
• Add in 16oz cubed ham.
• Return bone and meat from shank to crockpot.
• Cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours then reduce to LOW for 6.5 hours.
• Remove Ham bone. And serve.
• If you prefer a thicker soup you can puree a can of great northern beans and add to crockpot to thicken.