White Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb. small white beans, picked over for stones and rinsed
• 12 cups chicken stock or water
• 1 cup onions, minced
• 2 tsp. garlic minced
• 1cup celery, peeled and diced
• 1 cup carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• salt and white pepper to taste, (about 1 tbsp. salt and 1 tsp. white pepper to start)
• 1 piece, smoked ham hock, pre-boiled in water for 15 minutes