Ham and Bean Soup I

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 smokeds ham hocks
• 3 potatoes , peeled and cubed
• 3 stalks celery , chopped, with leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 3 cans kidney beans , 15 ounce
• 1 can tomato sauce , 15 ounce
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 bays leaves
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves crushed garlic

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil sausage to remove excess fat, and cut into bite-size pieces.

2. 2

   Skin ham hocks, and remove excess fat. In a large pot, brown sausage and ham hocks over medium heat. Drain off excess fat.

3. 3

   Add potatoes, celery, parsley, beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes, salt, pepper, chili sauce, bay leaves, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat; add just enough water to cover. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Cover, and continue to cook for 2-3 hours.

4. 4

   Remove ham hocks and cut meat into bite-size pieces. Return meat to pot. Serve.