Southern-style Beans and Ham Hocks
Southern-style Beans and Ham Hocks: A Hearty and Delicious Dish
If you're looking for a hearty and delicious meal that's perfect for any occasion, look no further than Southern-style Beans and Ham Hocks. This classic dish is a staple in Southern cuisine, and for good reason. It's packed with flavor, protein, and fiber, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal that will keep you full for hours.
To make this dish, you'll need the following ingredients per serving:
- 1/2 cup dried navy beans
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped ham hocks
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
To start, rinse the navy beans and soak them overnight in water. The next day, drain the beans and add them to a pot with the water and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
While the beans are cooking, sauté the onion, celery, and green bell pepper in a separate pan until they're soft and translucent. Add the ham hocks and cook for a few minutes until they're browned.
Once the beans have simmered for an hour, add the sautéed vegetables and ham hocks to the pot. Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Stir everything together and continue to simmer for another hour, or until the beans are tender and the ham hocks are falling off the bone.
When the dish is ready, remove the bay leaf and serve hot. The appearance of the dish is a rich, dark brown color with chunks of ham hocks and vegetables throughout. The taste is savory and slightly spicy, with a smoky flavor from the ham hocks.
In two words, this dish can be described as "hearty comfort." The three main ingredients are navy beans, ham hocks, and vegetables. Enjoy this Southern-style Beans and Ham Hocks recipe as a main dish or as a side dish to complement any meal.
