Ham and Beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried navy beans
• 6 cups cold water, for soaking
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped well
• 1 carrot, chopped well
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups cold water, for cooking
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 meaty ham bone, from baked ham
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Wash and pick over the beans.

2. 2

   Place in a large stockpot and cover with the soaking water.

3. 3

   Let stand overnight.

4. 4

   (you can speed this up by using your crock pot on high and watch the water. It takes around 3 hours) Drain the beans, rinse and drain again.

5. 5

   Heat the oil in the pot over medium high.

6. 6

   Add the onions, carrot and garlic.

7. 7

   Cook, stirring often until the onions are tender, around 3 or 4 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the beans, cooking water and the bay leaf.

9. 9

   Slowly bring to a full boil.

10. 10

    Reduce the heat to a simer, cover and cook for 1 hour.

11. 11

    Add the ham bone to the pot.

12. 12

    Re-cover and simmer 2 hours longer-watch the water level.

13. 13

    Remove the bay leaf and discard.

14. 14

    Remove the ham bone and cut away the meat.

15. 15

    Chop into bite sized pieces and return to the pot.

16. 16

    Add salt and pepper to taste.

17. 17

    Serve with corn bread.