Hearty Ham and Bean Stew
This Hearty Ham and Bean Stew is a delightful combination of flavors, featuring tender great northern beans simmered to perfection with savory ham hocks and a variety of fresh vegetables. Drawing inspiration from traditional recipes, it's a comforting dish that warms the soul. Perfect for chilly evenings, this stew is rich in protein and fiber, making it both satisfying and nutritious. Serve it with crusty bread for a classic meal that the whole family will love.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
great northern beans
2 lbs (rinsed, drained & picked over)
ham hocks
4 (2 fresh and 2 smoked (or use 4 ham bones))
onions
2 (chopped)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
potatoes
3 (pared and cubed)
carrots
3 (diced)
celery
1 cup (diced)
water
3 quarts (none)
dried thyme
2 teaspoons (none)
dried marjoram
1 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried savory
1/2 teaspoon (none)
parsley
to taste (fresh, for seasoning)
salt
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
The night before, place the rinsed and drained great northern beans in a large pot and cover with water, allowing them to soak overnight.
2
The next day, drain the beans and return them to the pot. Add three quarts of fresh water along with the ham hocks, chopped onions, minced garlic, cubed potatoes, diced carrots, and diced celery.
3
Stir in the dried thyme, marjoram, pepper, rubbed sage, and dried savory.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer.
5
Allow the stew to simmer for at least 3 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy.
6
Once done cooking, carefully remove the ham hocks from the pot. Using a fork, shred any meat from the bones and return the meat to the pot. If desired, add additional diced ham for extra flavor.
7
Discard the bones and any excess fat. Stir the stew to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
8
Finally, season the stew to taste with additional salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ham and Bean Stew?
Hearty Ham and Bean Stew is a comforting dish featuring tender great northern beans simmered with savory ham hocks, fresh vegetables, and a blend of aromatic herbs.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 2 lbs of great northern beans, which should be rinsed, drained, and picked over before cooking.
How long should I soak the beans?
The beans should be placed in a large pot, covered with water, and allowed to soak overnight before cooking the next day.
What kind of ham hocks should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 ham hocks in total, specifically 2 fresh and 2 smoked, though you can also use 4 ham bones as a substitute.
What vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew includes chopped onions, minced garlic, cubed potatoes, diced carrots, and diced celery.
How much water is needed for the stew?
You will need three quarts of fresh water to simmer the beans and ham hocks.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
The flavor comes from a mix of dried thyme, marjoram, pepper, rubbed sage, and dried savory.
How long does the stew need to simmer?
The stew should simmer on low heat for at least 3 hours, or until the beans reach a tender and creamy consistency.
What do I do with the ham hocks after simmering?
Carefully remove the ham hocks from the pot, shred the meat from the bones using a fork, and return the meat to the stew.
Can I add more ham to the recipe?
Yes, if desired, you can add additional diced ham to the pot for extra flavor after shredding the meat from the hocks.
Should I keep the ham bones in the stew?
No, you should discard the bones and any excess fat after you have shredded the meat into the pot.
How should the stew be garnished?
Garnish the stew with fresh parsley just before serving for added freshness and color.
Is this stew a healthy option?
Yes, this stew is rich in protein and fiber, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal.
What should I serve with Hearty Ham and Bean Stew?
It is best served with crusty bread for a classic and complete meal.
What is the preparation for the potatoes?
The recipe calls for 3 potatoes that are pared and cubed.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 cloves of garlic, which should be minced.
What kind of sage is used in the recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of rubbed sage.
Do I need to add salt at the beginning?
Salt should be added at the end of the cooking process to taste.
How much celery is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of diced celery.
What is the heat setting for the initial boil?
The mixture should be brought to a boil over medium-high heat before reducing to low for simmering.
Is this recipe good for cold weather?
Yes, this stew is described as a comforting dish that warms the soul and is perfect for chilly evenings.
Can I use ham bones instead of hocks?
Yes, the recipe notes that you can use 4 ham bones as an alternative to the 4 ham hocks.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
No, the provided recipe data shows 0 grams of sugar or indicates it is not a part of the ingredients.
What is the texture of the finished stew?
The stew is rich and hearty with beans that become tender and creamy after the long simmer.
How many onions are required?
The recipe requires 2 onions, which should be chopped.
How many carrots are in the stew?
The stew calls for 3 carrots, which should be diced.
Is this a slow-cooked meal?
Yes, with a 3-hour simmer time, this is considered a slow-cooked, hearty meal.
What is the preparation for the carrots?
The carrots should be diced before being added to the pot.
What does 'picked over' mean for the beans?
It means checking the dried beans for any small stones or debris before rinsing and soaking them.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, it is categorized as a family recipe and a classic meal that the whole family will love.