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1
Soak beans in salted water overnight; drain.
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2
In soup kettle, combine beans, ham bone, vegetables and bay leaf.
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3
Add enough cold water to cover.
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4
Bring to a boil, skim both from surface and reduce the heat.
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5
Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until beans are tender.
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6
Add more water as needed to keep broth covering beans.
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7
Discard ham bone and bay leaf.
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8
Cut off any meat left on the ham.
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9
Cool soup slightly.
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10
Puree half the beans in a blender.
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11
Pour them back into the soup kettle.
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12
Add half the beans in a blender.
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13
Pour them back into the soup kettle.
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14
Add the meat. Bring soup to boil, then add broken noodles.
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15
Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.
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16
Add salt and pepper.
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17
Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serves 4 to 6.
