Southern Comfort Smoked Ham Hock and Hominy Stew
Embrace the heartwarming flavors of the South with this hearty Smoked Ham Hock and Hominy Stew. This dish features tender chunks of smoky ham hocks simmered to perfection with aromatic spices, sweet hominy, and vibrant stewed tomatoes. Serve it alongside a pot of greens and a warm, buttery No-Flour Cornbread for an unforgettable meal that warms both the belly and the soul. Ideal for gatherings or comforting weeknight dinners, this stew fosters a rustic, cozy atmosphere, making it a true Southern classic.
N/A
Servings
233
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
corn oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
large onion
1 (chopped)
ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (ground)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (crumbled)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
dry crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
smoked ham hocks
2 lbs (whole)
chicken broth
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans (canned)
sliced stewed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (canned)
garlic cloves
3 large (finely chopped)
yellow hominy
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, heat the corn oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, ground cumin, dried thyme, bay leaf, and crushed red pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
2
Add the smoked ham hocks to the pot, followed by the chicken broth, sliced stewed tomatoes, and finely chopped garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally.
3
Cover and simmer the stew for roughly 1.5 hours, or until the ham hocks are tender and flavorful. Make sure to check occasionally and stir to ensure even cooking.
4
Once the ham hocks are tender, carefully remove them from the pot and transfer them to a cutting board. Let them cool slightly, then remove the meat from the bones, discarding any fat or bones. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
5
Return the diced ham to the stew and add the drained yellow hominy. Allow the stew to simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the hominy is tender and warmed through.
6
Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. You may want to adjust the seasoning based on your personal preference.
7
Serve the stew hot in large bowls, ideally accompanied by cornbread and greens. Enjoy the soulful flavors!
Nutrition Information
9.2g
Fat
21.7g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
3.3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Comfort Smoked Ham Hock and Hominy Stew?
It is a hearty Southern dish featuring tender smoked ham hocks simmered with aromatic spices, sweet hominy, and vibrant stewed tomatoes.
What are the primary ingredients in this stew?
The main ingredients include corn oil, a large onion, ground cumin, dried thyme, a bay leaf, crushed red pepper, smoked ham hocks, chicken broth, stewed tomatoes, garlic, and yellow hominy.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of the stew contains approximately 233 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The stew contains 9.2g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in the Southern Comfort Smoked Ham Hock and Hominy Stew?
There are 12.5g of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this dish?
There are 21.7g of carbohydrates in each serving.
How much fiber does this stew provide?
This recipe provides 3.3g of fiber per serving.
How long do you need to simmer the ham hocks?
The ham hocks should be simmered for roughly 1.5 hours or until they are tender and flavorful.
What kind of hominy should I use?
The recipe calls for two 15-ounce cans of drained yellow hominy.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The three large garlic cloves should be finely chopped before being added to the pot.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to heat corn oil in a large Dutch oven and sauté the chopped onion and spices for about 5 minutes.
Should I remove the bones from the ham hocks?
Yes, once the ham hocks are tender, remove them from the pot, discard the fat and bones, and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
When do I add the hominy to the stew?
Add the hominy after returning the diced ham meat to the pot, then simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
What side dishes go well with this stew?
It is traditionally served with a pot of greens and warm, buttery No-Flour Cornbread.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the aromatics?
The recipe uses two tablespoons of corn oil.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need two 14.5-ounce cans of chicken broth.
Are the stewed tomatoes fresh or canned?
The recipe uses one 14.5-ounce can of sliced stewed tomatoes.
Is this stew spicy?
It has a mild kick from the addition of a half teaspoon of dry crushed red pepper.
Which dry herbs are used for seasoning?
The stew is seasoned with dried thyme and a whole bay leaf.
How many pounds of smoked ham hocks are needed?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of smoked ham hocks.
What kind of cookware is recommended for this recipe?
A large Dutch oven is the ideal cookware for this one-pot meal.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients listed for this stew.
When should I adjust the salt and pepper?
Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste at the very end of the cooking process.
Is this recipe considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-pot meal and a slow-cooking family recipe.
What kind of atmosphere does this dish create?
This stew fosters a rustic and cozy atmosphere, making it a true Southern classic.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
One large onion should be chopped before sautéing.
How much ground cumin is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of ground cumin.
What is the sodium content of this dish?
The sodium content is not specified in the provided nutritional data.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol?
The cholesterol level is not listed in the available nutritional information.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to ensure the hominy is tender and the meat is warmed through, then season to taste.