Bean with Bacon Soup

Beans, bacon, soup.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) package dried Navy (or Great Northern) beans
• 9 C water
• 1 lb bacon
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 tsp chicken bouillon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 4 C water

Instructions

1. Boil the beans in 9 C water, let sit for one hour. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the bacon to desired texture and drain grease. Coarsely chop bacon.
3. Add the onion and celery to the pan and saute until soft. Add the chicken base, 4 C water, beans, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and cloves. Simmer for 2 hours.
4. Stir in the tomatoes with their juice.