Stormy Day Bean Soup

Team this soup up with a loaf of fresh baked bread and you have the perfect winter meal.

1 pound dried navy beans
7 cups water
1 ham bone
2 cups cubed cooked smoked ham
1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
Dash pepper

Rinse beans. Heat beans and water to boiling; boil gently 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.

Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beans are soft. Skim off foam occasionally. (Add water if necessary.)

Remove bay leaf and ham bone. Trim meat from bone; add to soup. Season to taste.

7 servings (1 cup each)