WINTER NAVY BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place navy beans in large saucepan, add enough water to cover beans.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour (Or, cover beans with water and soak overnight).
• Drain beans and return to saucepan.
• Stir in 2 1/2 cups water, salt pork, onion, oregano, salt, ginger, sage and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
• (If necessary, add more water during cooking).
• Add milk and butter, stirring until mixture is heated through and butter is melted.
• Season with additinal salt and pepper.
• I have made this soup with a leftover ham bone with a little meat left on it instead of the salt pork or chopped ham.
• Place the ham bone in the pot before bringing to a boil and remove after the 2 1/2 hours of simmering, scrape and chop any meat left on the bone into the soup.
• Discard bone.