These are OK, but can be made much better if you add ham. They are also better if you add an onion. Cook the onion, celery and green pepper in a little olive oil before you add them to the beans. Some people cook them in bacon grease. For a true southern dish, leave out the tomatoes. Add the bay leaf to the beans as they are cooking. Cook until the beans are very tender and serve over rice. You can cook red kidney beans the same way. If you want them to be thicker, add a potato during cooking. When it's cooked, take it out and mash it and return it to the pot. Ummmmmmm!!!!

This soup is so good!!! It is even better warmed up the next day! I added salt & lots of pepper.