Senate Soup

1. Add soaked beans and their water to a large soup pot or crock pot. Add additional water till you get 6 cups of water. Add onions, garlic, smoked ham bone and tomato paste.
2. Peel and cut up potatoes. In a separate saucepan, add the potatoes and enough water to cover them. Boil until very tender. Drain the potatoes and then mash them with a little water. Add mashed potatoes to the beans.
3. Cook beans until very tender—on the stove top for 2-3 hours, in the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours, or in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours. You may have to add additional water if the soup gets too thick.
4. Serve with freshly chopped onions and Tabasco.