Senate Bean Soup
["1 lb. dried navy beans", "1 meaty ham bone or 1 1/2 lb. ham hocks", "1 c. chopped onion", "2 garlic cloves, minced", "1 c. chopped celery", "2/3 c. mashed potato flakes (instant)", "1/4 c. chopped parsley", "1 1/2 tsp. salt", "1 tsp. each: pepper, nutmeg, oregano and basil", "1 bay leaf"]
["Wash and sort beans and cover in a large pot with 6 to 8 cups of hot water.", "Boil 2 minutes.", "Let stand 1 hour off of heat.", "Add another 2 quarts of cold water and ham bone.", "Simmer 1 1/2 hours. Stir in remaining ingredients.", "Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, until beans are tender.", "Remove ham bone and trim off meat.", "Return to soup.", "Makes 3 quarts.", "I serve over rice."]
["dried navy beans", "ham bone", "onion", "garlic", "celery", "potato", "parsley", "salt", "pepper", "bay leaf"]