White Beans with Ham

White beans are often found on restaurant menus on Thursday. Here's a recipe great for any day of the week.

1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 large onions, chopped

1 large bell pepper, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

10 cup chicken stock

8 ounces smoked ham hocks

3 cups chopped ham cubes

2 bay leaves

Hot buttered French bread

Cover beans with cold water. Soak overnight. Drain; rinse well and set aside.

Preheat oven to 425℉. Set top rack in the middle position with enough overhead room for Dutch oven to easily fit when topped with its lid.

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté five minutes. Add bell pepper, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; sauté five minutes. Add beans, stock, ham hocks, ham, and bay leaves.

Bring to a low boil. Cover Dutch oven with lid and place in oven; bake 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 200℉ and bake 8 hours (Do not open oven door).

Remove from oven; do not stir. skim away any accumulated fat or oil on surface. Remove ham hocks; let cool and pick meat from bone and return to white beans. Stir well. Taste; adjust seasonings. Mash a quarter of the beans using the back of a spoon. Bring to a simmer for five minutes. Serve with hot buttered French bread; freezes well.

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Enjoy!!!

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