Southern-Style Beans With Ham

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 2 Minutes

Ready In: 32 Minutes

Servings: 12

My recipe for a simple comfort food favorite I serve with Maple-Butter Glazed Corn Bread or Honey-Orange Glazed Corn Bread.

Ingredients:

cold water

1 lb dry pinto beans

1 1/2 tablespoons bacon fat

1 1/2 lbs smoked ham shank

2 cups chopped white onions

2 small bay leaves or 1 large bay leaf

4 chopped large fresh garlic cloves

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

6 cups cold water

1 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground paprika

3/8 teaspoon ground sage

3/8 teaspoon crushed rosemary

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

2 tablespoons pickled pepper brine

Directions:

1. PLACE beans in in a large heavy pot with an accompanying lid; COVER beans with 2 inches cold water; BRING to a boil (uncovered); BOIL 2 minutes; DRAIN; RINSE well with running cold water.
2. RETURN beans to pot; COVER beans with cold water again; BRING to boiling again for 2 minutes uncovered; DRAIN in colander; RINSE well with running cold water; ALLOW to drain until needed.
3. IN the same large heavy pot over medium heat, add the bacon fat until sizzling; ADD ham shanks and cook, turning, until evenly seared, about 7 minutes; REMOVE shanks with tongs; SET aside.
4. ADD onions and bay leaf; COOK, stirring, for 5 minutes; ADD garlic and drained beans; COOK for just one minute, stirring.
5. SPRINKLE bean mixture with 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour while stirring; TOSS mixture well.
6. POUR in 6 cups cold water; STIR in the remaining seasonings except salt and pickled pepper brine.
7. BRING to a full rolling boil; REDUCE heat between low and medium-low (no higher than the numeric 2 setting on stovetop turn-dial); COVER.
8. SIMMER for 2 hours without lifting lid.
9. UNCOVER beans and stir; BEANS should be creamy and the meat should easily fall off of the bones (if desired, continue cooking and stirring uncovered, to desired consistency); CLEAN meat from bone portion of meat (discard bones); REMOVE bay leaf; SEASON beans to taste with salt and pickled pepper brine; STIR well and cook 5 additional minutes.
10. SERVE and enjoy!

By RecipeOfHealth.com