Directions

1. Bring water and beans to a boil over medium high heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover and let stand for one hour. Drain beans and return to pan. (Beans can also be soaked at room temperature overnight.)
2. Add hot water, bouillon, bay leaf, and ham bone to the beans. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
3. Reserve meat from ham bone, discarding bone and bay leaf. Drain beans over a bowl reserving liquid.