Bean Soup

     I have been making a lot of soup lately because of the dreary weather outside.  I enjoy warming up my insides with a big bowl of steaming hot soup and a slice of crusty bread slathered with butter.  This soup is simple, cheap to make and you can cook it in the crockpot.  It will make your whole house smell good.  This recipe calls for salt pork.  If you have trouble finding salt pork, just ask the butcher.  They always have some on hand and are more than happy to wrap up a chunk for you.

Bean Soup:

1 pkg dry beans (any kind)
5-6 c water
salt pork
2 carrots (diced)
1/3 c celery leaves (minced)
1 T dry minced onion
1 t parsley
1/4 t pepper
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c milk

Soak the beans in water overnight in a large bowl.  In the morning, drain the water from the beans and rinse them thoroughly.  Place the beans in a crockpot and cover with water.  Add salt pork, carrots, celery leaves, onion, parsley and pepper.  Cook on low for 6 hours.  Stir in the milk and salt.  Let it cook 15-20 minutes longer.  Serve with crusty bread.