Ham and Beans
Dinners, Soups
Ingredients
1 lb. dried pinto, navy, or great northern beans
1 chopped onion
1 bulb Roasted Garlic, smashed (*3)
1 T. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. Cayenne
1 tsp. Chili powder
2 tsp. Parsley
2 tsp. Thyme
Black pepper
Pork bone(s) (hocks, country ribs, center of a roast, etc.)
5 cups of water (*1)
Salt as needed (*2)
Up to 1/2 lb. ham, cubed (optional, not necessary if your bones have meat)
Crock pot
Directions
Prepare beans by doing an overnight soak, then rinse them thoroughly.
Put the beans, onion, ham bone, water or broth in a crockpot. Add all the seasonings except salt. (*2)
Cook on high until the beans are soft, about 3-6 hours, depending on bean type.
Turn the heat on the crock pot to low and add the ham if using. If your bones have meat, pull it out to shred.
Continue to cook, checking flavor periodically, for about 2 hours. Now you can add salt as needed, but keep in mind ham can be very salty. You may need very little, if any added salt.
Once ready, set the crock pot to warm until ready to serve.
Serve with rice or Cornbread.
For a slight change, cook your beans as directed, then strain and keep the liquid.
Use the liquid (with added water if needed) to cook rice.
In a pan, brown some sliced smoked sausage. Stir everything together. Serve with shredded cheese.
Notes
*1 If you are not using bones, use broth in place of the water. If your bone is small, like the center of a ham steak or country ribs, you will want to use at least some broth.
*2 It is important not to add salt, or the ham, until after the beans have softened. Salt can prevent beans from ever softening.
*3 You can use 3-4 cloves of minced, raw garlic instead. Raw garlic has a strong, almost harsh flavor to it. Roasted garlic has a mellower, almost sweet flavor.