Ham & Beans

I've made ham and beans a number of times, but I'm pretty sure this time I perfected the recipe.  It's a great Sunday afternoon recipe.  It requires a lot of time to simmer but, trust me, it's worth it!

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 ham hocks (I had the best luck finding these at Walmart. They came in a package of 3 and were pre-smoked. Pre-smoked is highly recommended for this recipe!)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 bag (mine was 1 lb 4 oz) of Great Northern Beans
Pepper
8 cups water
Chicken bullion
Hot sauce
Salt

Sort beans.  Throw away any shriveled ones or any small rocks that made it into the bag.  Soak in water over night in a large bowl.

The next day, heat oil in dutch oven or soup pot.  Add ham hocks.  The point here is to draw some of the fat and grease out of the ham hocks.  Sounds delish, right?  After about 5 minutes, remove ham hocks and set to the side.  Add onion and fresh ground pepper to the same pot.  Be generous with the pepper! Saute for 3-4 minutes.  Add garlic. Saute another minute.  Add beans (be sure to rinse after soaking them!) Saute for 3 minutes.

Add water and hot sauce.  I added just a little bit of chicken bullion powder for taste.  This is completely optional, it would still be great without it.  Another option is to do half water, half chicken broth.

Bring this to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer.  After 2-3 hours, remove ham hocks, cut through the outer layer of skin and fat and keep the ham.  Return ham to pot.

To thicken, remove a few ladles of beans and mash.  Return to pot. Salt to taste.  Remember ham is very salty, so it may not need any additional salt.  Be sure to taste it first!

From this point you can go ahead and eat, or continue to simmer until you're ready!

Serve with corn bread and other desired toppings.  It doesn't need it, but I add ketchup to mine.  That's how I ate it growing up.  David adds hot sauce.  Let me know if you grew up with different add-ons to a a bowl of ham and beans.  I might be willing to give it a try!