Darn Good Easy Bean Soup
I'm giving a half version of this so it will fit in a four
quart
pan.
8oz of beans - I've been using "pink" beans. They seem to have a
nice
mild flavor.
6 cups of water (some chicken broth would be good)
4 ounces of diced ham (or more)
1 small onion hacked up
1 clove of garlic - unless you want more
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes - use more like a teaspoon
for
heat.
1 tsp or so of salt
1/2 tsp of ground pepper. I sometime throw in a few peppercorns.
Put all ingredients in a pan.
Simmer for one hour with the top off.
Simmer for two more hours with the top on.
You might want to add more water after the first hour.
It is suggested you put a cup or two through a blender or use a
potato
masher to give the liquid a bit more body.