Crockpot Bean Soup

You know those little recipe books you get at the grocery check out?
I got a great one a few years back called "Taste of Home's: 44 Meals Under $10".
 It's got some surprisingly good and easy recipes in it. 

This is one of our favorites:

Crockpot Bean Soup

3 cups chopped parsnips (optional)

2 cups chopped carrots

1 cup chopped onion

1-1/2 cups dried great northern beans

5 cups water

1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks or ham shanks

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce (I like Tabasco)

1. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, place the parsnips, carrots, and onion. Top with beans. Add water, ham, garlic, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Cover and cook on high for 6-7 hours or until beans are tender.

2. Remove meat and bones when cool enough to handle. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces and return to the slow cooker.

3. If you would like it a bit thicker: in a small bowl, mix 1 Tbsp. cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water. Stir into soup; heat through.

Makes 6-8 servings.