Spiced White Beans with Ham

Rinse beans. In a 4 qt saucepan combine uncooked beans and 32 fl oz of the cold water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes; remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. (Or, omit simmering. Soak by placing beans in 64 fl oz water in a bowl. Cover and leave in a cool place for 6-8 hours or overnight.) Drain and rinse beans.

In the same pan combine beans, ham bone or ham hock, bay leaf, salt, and thyme. Peel onions; chop 1 onion and set it aside. Stud the whole onion with cloves; add to bean pot. Add the remaining 32 fl oz fresh water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Remove ham bone or ham hock from mixture; cool slightly. Remove all meat from bone; chop. Add chopped onion, tomatoes, pepper, and cooked meat to bean mixture. Return to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer about 15 minutes longer, or till of desired consistency.