Also known as: What to do with ham hocks in a couple easy steps!
yield : about 10 big servings
Ingredients
- 1lb dried Navy, Great Northern or Cannelini beans
- 1 smoked hock
- 1/4 cup butter (1 stick)
- 2 cups diced white or yellow onion
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 pinches dried thyme
Steps
- Cover beans with cold water and soak for 6-8 hours ( overnight )
- Drain and rinse. Check for rocks. ( for real)
- Simmer ham hocks in 6-7 cups of water for an hour or two
- Reserve hock and liquid
- Heat butter to medium and sauté in this order ; carrots 5min , celery 5 min, onions 5 , garlic and herbs 5 minutes. Stir often! Season with salt and pepper
- Add beans, hocks, liquid ( maybe 1/2 cup of good brown ale) and simmer for 1-11/2 hours . You are looking for tender beans upon completion . If they are not tender, go a little longer.
- Remember to taste broth as you go, and season if needed. I think this does well with a good bit of black pepper.
- Serve with good crusty bread and more of that brown ale