If you didn't know, there are select Senate restaurants that members dine at during workdays, and out of the many options served, that staple item is both humble and comforting: bean soup.

The famous Senate bean soup is also made with navy beans. Great Northern beans are the all-purpose white bean. With this winter’s weather being so nasty, I’ve frequently headed to my kitchen ...

In addition to senate bean soup, they're also frequently put to use in Boston baked beans and pork and beans, though other white varieties can do in a pinch. This is a great use for the mild ...