2 c. white beans
1 onion, chopped
A piece of ham bone

Cover beans with water and bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Add onion and ham bone; simmer until the beans are tender and the ham meat is thoroughly done, adding water if necessary. Salt, pepper, and a bay leaf may be added for seasoning if you are going to eat the beans as is. Remove bone from beans and let cool for a few minutes. Remove all the meat from the bone and return it to the pot, discarding the bone. Serve as is or use for soup as above.