Ham and Bean Soup

Bean Soup is an easy and inexpensive dish and one of our all-time favorite foods to come home to on a chilly day.

Ingredients:

1 pound dried navy beans

1 ham hock (or ham bone)

1 large onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional).