Drain the soaked beans and discard the water. Place the beans, ham hocks, chicken broth, and bay leaf in a soup pot; do not add salt at this stage. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 hour ...
Place the ham hock in a large saucepan or casserole pot ... Either way it will take a couple of hours. Add the leek, soup celery and potato and cook until potatoes are soft 0 about 20 minutes.
If you think your ham or bacon hock is going to be salty, soak overnight in cold water and keep in the fridge. Drain and rinse the following day.The stew can be made to the end of step 3 ...
Simmer for 10 minutes then add the potatoes and soup celery. Simmer until peas and potatoes are cooked. Shred the meat from the ham hock and add to the soup with the chopped cooked onion and celery.