Basic Ham and Bean Soup

Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/basic-ham-and-bean-soup/

1lb Dry Great Northern Beans
8 C Water
1/2 t Salt
1 Ham Hock
1 C Chopped Carrot
1/2 Celery Stalk, Chopped
1 Onion, Chopped
1 t Minced Garlic
1 t Mustard Powder
2 Bay Leaves (or 3 small)
1lb Fully Cooked Chopped Ham (About 2 Cups)
1/2 t Ground White Pepper

Sort and rinse beans. Combine beans, water, and salt in a large dutch oven. Bring to a boil, turn off heat, and let sit for 1 hour. Add ham hock, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mustard powder, and bay leaves. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 1 hour. Remove ham hock and discard. Stir in chopped ham and simmer for another 30min to 1 hour or until the beans are as soft as you like them. Season with pepper to taste.