~-~ Ingredients ~-~

• 32 oz chicken broth (low sodium)
• 32 oz of cold water
• 20 oz of 15 bean soup beans (1 bag)
• 1 lb of Virginia ham (have the deli slice it thick and cut it in small chunks)
• 1 cup of onions (chopped)
• 1 cup of celery (chopped)
• 1 lb 12 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup of parsley
• 1 dash of liquid smoke
• 1 table spoon ham base

~-~ Directions ~-~

1. Soak beans in a pot covered with 2 quarts of cold water for 8-10 hours.
2. Wash the beans thoroughly in cold water
3. In the crock pot mix the chicken broth, water, beans, onions, ham, celery, tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, chili powder, pepper and parsley.
4. Let it cook in the crook until the beans soften (usually 2 hours on high and 4 hours on low)
5. After beans soften and soup cooks add 1/2 cup of water, ham base and liquid smoke to taste.
6. Let it cool down for about 15 to 30 minutes and serve.