Southern Ham and Brown Beans

Directions

Ingredients :

1 pound dry pinto beans

8 cups water

1 large

meaty ham hock

1 large onion

chopped

2 cloves garlic

minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

or to taste

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

or to taste

Methods :

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.