Southern Pinto Beans With Country Ham Food

SOUTHERN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Inspect the beans to remove any small rocks or debris. Rinse well.
• Place the beans, 8 cups of water, ham hock, bouillion cubes, and chopped onion in a large pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add salt to taste. I usually add about 1 teaspoon, but the exact amount of salt needed will vary based on the sodium level in the brand of bouillon and your taste.
• Cook over medium low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until tender to your liking. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot, if desired.

SOUTHERN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse beans. Place beans in pot and cover them three times higher with water. Bring to a rapid boil for five minutes covered. Turn off stove. DO NOT REMOVE LID.
• Let the pot set one hour.
• Turn burner back on to slightly more than a simmer. Add ham bone, onion, and pepper.
• Boil covered for two hours. Add more water if necessary.
• Remove ham bone. Remove all ham and place back into pot. Discard bone.
• Turn down heat to simmer and add approximately 2 tablespoons brown sugar, or more. Now let beans cook as long as needed.
• Season to taste.
• I serve with Baby's Jalapeño Cornbread, Recipe #221836.

DOWN SOUTH PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Wash pinto beans thoroughly and place in a large stockpot. Add 4 quarts water, pork jowl, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook until beans are tender and tasty, 3 to 4 hours. Add water throughout cooking as needed; do not let the beans cook dry.

SOUTHERN STYLE PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Cover beans with water and soak overnight, or 6-8 hours.
• In the morning, drain and rinse the beans, discard soaking water, and put beans in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients, including chicken broth.
• Cover. Cook on low 10 hours, or on High 5 hours.
• Transfer 2 cups of the bean soup to a food processor or blender and puree. Return puree to the slow-cooker. Heat on High an additional 30 minutes. (This is an easy way to thicken the soup.).
• Serve with cornbread and fried potatoes.
• TO PRE-PREP: Combine 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 bay leaf, and store in a plastic storage bag until ready to cook. Having these dry ingredients packaged ahead of time will make seasoning the beans as easy as pouring the seasonings into the slow-cooker along with the beans and chicken broth.
• TO STORE: Bean soups keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to three months. The flavors are even better after standing. When reheating, thin with a little water if necessary.

SOUTHERN HAM AND BROWN BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans and water in a large stockpot. Add the ham hock, onion and garlic. Season with chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for one hour.
• Return the pot to the heat, and bring to a boil once again. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for at least 3 hours to blend flavors. The longer you simmer, the thicker the broth will become. I like to cook mine for about 6 hours.
• Remove the ham hock from the broth, and let cool. Remove the meat from the bone, and return the meat to the stockpot, discarding the bone. Adjust seasonings to taste.

SOUTHERN PINTO BEANS WITH COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• Add dried beans to a bowl and cover with water. Sort through the beans by letting them fall between your fingers and remove any stones or dirt. Drain the water.
• Cover the beans with clean water at least 2" over the beans. Let the beans soak overnight or for 8-12 hours.
• After 12 hours, drain the water and move the beans to a large pot. Add the ham and cover with 2-3 inches of fresh water. Bring to a very gentle simmer over medium low/low heat and simmer 2 1/2 hours stirring gently only once or twice an hour.
• Add salt (half to start), stir, wait 5 minutes and taste; adjust seasoning to your preference. Simmer an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the beans are tender throughout.

SNAP BEANS WITH MUSTARD AND COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• 1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy saucepan over moderate heat, add the ham and scallions, and cook, stirring now and then, for 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 2. Add the beans and broth and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the broth bubbles gently, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until the beans are crisp-tender.
• 3. Meanwhile, combine the thickener and the mustard and set aside. As soon as the beans are done, whisk a little of the hot broth into the mustard mixture, stir back into the pan, add the pepper, and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes or until the broth thickens. Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce has the consistency of a glaze.
• 4. Taste the beans for salt and pepper, adjust as needed, and serve straightaway.