Peasant Soup

Ingredients

1 lb great northern beans, dried
3 carrots, sliced,
3 celery ribs, sliced,
2 onions, chopped,
2 cloves garlic, minced,
2 bay leaves
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) tomatoes with liquid, cut up
1 tsp basil, dried
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Place the beans in a Dutch oven and cover with water; bring to a boil.
Boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.
Drain and rinse beans; return to Dutch oven.
Add 6 cups water, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, tomatoes, basil and pepper; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until the beans are tender.
Discard the bay leaves.
Add oil and heat through.