Aunt Dottie's Bean Soup

This recipe comes from Joey and Vince's Great Aunt Dottie. At the end, she writes, "Serve with cornbread, toast or crackers. Enjoy Mmm Mmm Good!"

20-24 oz mixed dried beans
1-1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
ham hock
lg onion, sliced or diced
1 cloved garlic, minced
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 tsp. chili powder
1-2 bay leaves
28 oz can whole or diced tomatoes
Juice of 1 lemon

Rinse beans, cover with water and soak for 6-8 hours. After soaking, add baking soda and bring to boil (watch out for foam!). Strain and rinse in collander.

Return beans to pot and cover with fresh water. Add ham hock and onion and cook 1 1/2-2 hours. Remove ham hock and let cool. Add remaining ingredients to beans and simmer about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Cut meat from ham hock and return meat to the soup. Heat through and serve.