Noodle and Bean Soup

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

Ingredients

1 cup dry Great Northern or navy beans

2 cups potatoes peeled, cubed

2/3 cup onion chopped

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

6 ounces egg noodles - (thin) about 3 cups

1 cup cubed cooked ham (optional)

Preparation

Pick beans over and put in medium saucepan. Cover with water 1 inch above the top of the beans. Bring beans to boil and boil one minute. Turn off heat, cover and let stand at least one hour.

Return beans to heat and cook until tender, adding water if necessary to keep beans covered. Drain, saving cooking liquid and adding enough water to make 8 cups of liquid.

Put liquid and beans in large soup kettle. Add potatoes, onion, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil. About 10 minutes after liquid begins to boil, add noodles and ham. When the noodles are done, turn off heat and add cream. Season to taste.

This recipe yields 8 servings.

Comments: This soup does not freeze well.