Akron Ohio Art's Place Bean Soup Copycat

Step 1: Soak beans overnight.

Step 2: Drain.

Step 3: In a large soup pot, add the oil and the onions.

Step 4: Saute until soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add beans, 4 ham hocks, salt and peppercorns.

Step 6: Fill the pot with 2 quarts of cold water or enough to cover beans and ham hocks.

Step 7: Cover pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer gently until beans are tender, about 3 hours.

Step 8: Remove ham hocks.

Step 9: Shred meat and return meat to soup.

Step 10: Season with 2 tablespoons of ham base, to increase the ham flavor, using more or less to taste.

Step 11: Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.