Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1              pound  great northern beans -- dried
  1                     meaty ham bone or
  2                     smoked ham hocks
  3             medium  onions -- chopped
  3             cloves  garlic -- minced
  3                     celery ribs -- chopped
     1/4           cup  fresh parsley -- chopped
     1/3           cup  instant potato flakes
                        salt and pepper -- to taste
                        parsley -- for garnish

Preparation:

Place beans and enough water to cover in a saucepan; bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans. In a large kettle, place beans, ham bone or hocks and 3 quarts water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours. Skim fat if necessary. Add onions, garlic, celery, parsley, potatoes, salt and pepper; simmer 1 hour longer. Remove meat and bones from the soup. Remove meat from the bones; dice and return to kettle. heat through. Garnish with parsley or chives.

Nutritional Information:

290 Calories (kcal); 9g Total Fat; (28% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 32g Carbohydrate; 48mg Cholesterol; 47mg Sodium