Slow Cooker Ham and BeansBacon ends are one of those magical foods that are relatively inexpensive, but oh so full of deliciousness. My husband refers to this soup as "bacon soup" because it will make the entire house smell like bacon by the time you are done cooking it. Bacon ends or ham-hock can be found at any butcher's. If it is not in the case, ask the butcher, they may have it in the back or in the freezer cases.
Ingredients
1 lb bacon ends (or ham-hock or any ham you have lying around!)
14 oz great white northern beans (dried)
1 1/2 tsp onion powder (or 1/2 small onion diced)
1 tsp garlic powder
ground white pepper to taste
kosher salt to taste
1 1/2 tsp onion powder (or 1/2 small onion diced)
1 tsp garlic powder
ground white pepper to taste
kosher salt to taste
Directions
The night before rinse the beans, discarding any stones. Put the beans into the slow cooker and cover with 1 inch over the beans of water. Cover and let sit overnight.
The next morning the beans should have soaked up all of the water. Turn your slow cooker to low and add the meat, onion and garlic to the cooker. Give it a quick stir with a spoon and cover completely with water, about 1 inch over the ham and beans.
Let cook on low for at least 7 hours. Taste before adding salt, bacon ends tend to have a lot of sodium on them already.
Give the beans a good stir and they are ready to serve!
A note to the wise:
The center of a spiral cut honey ham adds a flavor that is out of this world. Try serving this with homemade cornbread or experiment with different dried beans. This simple meal is cheap, easy to make and ripe for experimentation.
The next morning the beans should have soaked up all of the water. Turn your slow cooker to low and add the meat, onion and garlic to the cooker. Give it a quick stir with a spoon and cover completely with water, about 1 inch over the ham and beans.
Let cook on low for at least 7 hours. Taste before adding salt, bacon ends tend to have a lot of sodium on them already.
Give the beans a good stir and they are ready to serve!
A note to the wise:
The center of a spiral cut honey ham adds a flavor that is out of this world. Try serving this with homemade cornbread or experiment with different dried beans. This simple meal is cheap, easy to make and ripe for experimentation.
