Created by Sue on October 10, 2013
Step 1: Sort beans and place in a dutch oven covered with a few inches of water.
Step 2: Bring beans to a boil and cook 3 minutes. Shut off heat, cover tightly and allow to sit for one hour.
Step 3: Drain soaked beans and return to pot with 6 cups of water, chopped onion, chopped carrot, crushed garlic, baking soda, black pepper, thyme leaves, bay leaves, pepper flakes, and ham bone.
Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for one hour.
Step 5: Uncover and remove ham bone, pepper flakes and bay leaf, then partially mash some of the cooked beans.
Step 6: Stir in chopped ham pieces and any usable ham/hock/turkey from the seasoning meat, then cook until thickened, adjusting for salt before serving, if needed.