Absolutely! Here’s a classic, hearty Beans and Ham recipe—perfect for a comforting meal 🍲:
Beans and Ham
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb dried navy beans (or any small white bean)
- 1–2 cups diced ham (or leftover ham bone)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: hot sauce for serving
Instructions
- Prep beans
- Rinse beans. Optional: soak overnight for 6–8 hours, or quick soak: boil beans 5 min, remove from heat, cover for 1 hour.
- Sauté aromatics
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook 5–7 min until softened.
- Add beans & ham
- Stir in beans, diced ham, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Add liquid
- Pour in water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer
- Cover and cook 1–1.5 hours (longer if using ham bone) until beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
- Finish & season
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
- If using a ham bone, remove the bone, chop any remaining meat, and stir back in.
- Serve
- Hot, with crusty bread or over rice. Optional: a dash of hot sauce or vinegar for a tangy kick.
Tips
- Slow cooker version: Combine all ingredients in a crockpot, cook on low for 6–8 hours.
- Extra smoky flavor: Use smoked ham hock or add a dash of liquid smoke.
- Vegetarian version: Omit ham and use vegetable broth; add smoked paprika for depth.
If you want, I can also give a “quick 30-minute version” using canned beans that’s just as flavorful—great for a weeknight meal.
Do you want me to do that?
