Your family will enjoy eating this healthy nutritious bean soup.   It is very easy on the taste buds and easy on the pocket book.

2 cups dried great northern beans
1 smoked ham hock
2 1/2 quarts water
1 Tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black ground pepper

Soak dried great northern beans in water overnight.
Rinse and drain beans.  Put beans in a large pot, add water and ham hock.
Cover and bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Remove ham hock, when cool, remove skin, bone and fat.  Cut meat into small pieces and return to soup.

In a medium skillet, saute onions in butter until lightly browned.  Add onion, salt and pepper to soup and stir.
Serves 8.

Nutrition Facts per Serving: 340 calories, 7 g fat, 23 g protein, 48 g carbohydrates, 19 g fiber and 420 mg sodium.