Dawn
Culinary Explorer
Here's a recipe that you might want to try!


Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 ham hock or 1 cup diced ham
- 6 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Beans:
- Rinse the dried Great Northern beans under cold water. Remove any debris or broken beans.
- Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Ham and Beans:
- Add the ham hock or diced ham to the pot. Stir to combine with the vegetables.
- Add the drained beans to the pot.
- Simmer the Beans:
- Pour in the chicken broth or water, ensuring the beans are covered by at least an inch of liquid. Add more broth or water if needed.
- Add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed to keep the beans submerged.
- Season and Serve:
- Once the beans are tender, remove the ham hock. If using a ham hock, remove the meat from the bone, chop it, and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
- Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley if using.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add a smoked sausage or bacon along with the ham.
- Serve the Great Northern beans with cornbread or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.