Black Bean Soup
["2 c. black beans", "2 stalks of celery, finely chopped", "1 large onion, finely chopped", "1/2 stick butter", "1 1/2 T. flour", "1 c. chopped ham", "3 sliced leeks", "2 bay leaves", "1 1/2 t. salt", "1/4 t. black pepper", "2 boiled eggs, chopped"]
["Pick over and wash beans.", "Soak overnight in cold water to cover then drain.", "Add 2 1/2 qts. water, cook over low heat about 1 1/2 hours.", "In soup kettle, saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Blend in flour cook 1 minute.", "Stir into beans gradually.", "Add to this mixture the remaining ingredients.", "Simmer about 3-4 hours.", "Remove from heat, discard bay leaves.", "If desired, add 1/2 c. Madeira.", "When serving float a very thin slice of lemon on top of bowl of soup (optional)."]
["black beans", "stalks of celery", "onion", "butter", "flour", "ham", "leeks", "bay leaves", "salt", "black pepper", "eggs"]