Uncle Ben's Ham & Bean Soup

Directions

Boil the beans in the water for 2 minutes before removing them from the heat to let stand for 1 hour.

Then add the ham shanks, garlic and bay leaf to the beans and cover and simmer for 2 hours or until the ingredients are almost tender.

Add the vegetables and salt and pepper to taste and simmer them for 1 hour longer.

Remove the ham shanks, cut off the meat and dice it to add back to the beans.

Reheat the soup to almost boiling then remove the bay leaf.

Ready to serve.