1 lb. dried navy or great northern beans
Ham bone or ham hocks
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes
1 med. baking potato, peeled, sliced, cooked & mashed (for thickening)

Pick over beans, wash and drain. Place in soup pot, cover with about 2" of water. Bring to a rapid boil, covered. Remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Add remaining ingredients, except potato. Add more water if needed. Simmer, covered 2 1/2 to 3 hours until beans are "creamy" looking. Remove bone and return meat to the pot. Add potato for thickening until desired consistency is reached. Correct the seasoning. It may need salt if the meat used was not salty.