Ham & Navy Beans

 

Country Cooking

 

“My mother, Margaret Keen Gass, used to prepare ham and navy beans along with skillet cornbread for our family on every wash day.”

 

1  pound package dry navy beans

¾ pound ham steak, cut into cubes  

1  large sweet yellow onion, chopped

 

To a large pot/lid, add 8 cups of hot water to soaked, drained and rinsed beans.  Simmer gently with lid tilted until desired tenderness is reached, about 2 hours. ***Never add salt until beans are tender.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with a slice of skillet cornbread and garnish with chopped onions.

Yield:  6 to 8 servings.    

 

Overnight soak :  To a large pot, add 1 pound of beans and 8 cups of cold water.    Let stand overnight or at least 8 hours.  Drain soak water and rinse beans.

 

Quick soak: To a large pot/cover, add 1 pound beans and 8 cups hot water.  Bring to a rapid boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour.  Drain soak water and rinse beans.

 

Carolyn Gass Hardimon, M. S.      Home Economist

Ask a question?  Request a recipe?  Address: http://www.recipeladies.com/homeeconomistquestions.html