Ham and Beans Recipe

This delightful Ham and Beans recipe, originally crafted by my mother, was a childhood favorite of mine. As I grew older, my palate evolved, and I found myself enhancing her original recipe to suit my tastes better. Despite its simplicity, this dish is nothing short of extraordinary. Perfect for using up leftover ham, it’s a recipe that consistently garners rave reviews.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried northern beans
• 1 lb ham bone, hocks, shanks, or diced ham
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 6 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Begin by rinsing the dried beans thoroughly, ensuring there are no pebbles or debris.
2. Place the rinsed beans, onion powder, salt, pepper, and ham into a crock pot.
3. Pour in the water.
4. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for approximately 8 hours, or until the beans are tender.
5. Once cooked, remove the ham bone, shanks, or hocks, and shred the meat.
6. Return the shredded meat to the crock pot and stir well.
7. Serve warm, ideally with a side of cornbread.

Enjoy the comforting and hearty flavors of this classic dish!