French Bean Soup

By ctpalmiter

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups dried great northern beans
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 slices French bread, diced and fried in butter
• grated Swiss cheese for garnish

Preparation

Step 1

1. Soak beans overnight in water. Next day, drain beans and rinse.

2. Put beans in soup pot with 6 cups water, salt, onion, herbs and celery. Bring to boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.

3. Remove celery and bay leaf. Mash beans in liquid with potato masher. Add milk and butter, heating until butter melts.

4. Serve garnished with fried bread and grated cheese.