Bean Soup
["2 celery stalks, sliced", "2 medium onions, sliced", "2 medium carrots, sliced", "3 Tbsp. cooking oil", "1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes, drained", "1 1/2 c. dried beans (all one kind or a mixture)", "6 c. liquid (tomato juice and water)", "2 bay leaves", "2 tsp. salt", "2 garlic cloves, mashed (optional)"]
["Cook celery, onion and carrots in the oil until vegetables are soft.", "Add tomatoes, beans, liquid, bay leaves, salt and optional garlic.", "Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil rapidly for 2 minutes.", "Let mixture stand for at least 1 hour (all day if necessary)."]
["celery stalks", "onions", "carrots", "cooking oil", "tomatoes", "beans", "liquid", "bay leaves", "salt", "garlic"]