Ricks Spicy Beans and Ham

The great thing about beans are the endless variations. After years of experimenting, I’ve settled on this recipe, which is loaded with flavor. I like to put mine in the refrigerator overnight, then scrape the fat off the top before reheating. Serve with a good, crusty bread.

Step: 1

Rinse navy beans and 12-bean mix thoroughly and set aside.

Step: 2

Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat; saute onions, carrots, and celery until onions are clear and soft, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step: 3

Mix bean mixture, ham hocks, tomatoes, beer, green chiles, chicken soup base, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper into onion mixture; add enough water to fill the pot. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are soft, 6 to 8 hours.

Per Serving: 509 calories; protein 30.4g; carbohydrates 54.8g; fat 17.5g; cholesterol 51mg; sodium 958.1mg.

The name of “stew” can refer to both a dish and a make dishes method. Stewing makes slowly cooking piece of meat, vegetables or beans in a tastefull liquid . It’s similar to braising, but it does have a few notable differences. The meat is chopped into smaller pieces instead of being cooked whole , and the water based material all of it covers the contents in a stew as compared to a braise’s halfway all of it . When meat or raw fruit are cooked using this method, the resulting dish is called stew.

Stew has a reputation for being a rib-sticking meal that warms you up on a freezing , winter day. It’s true ; a bowl of classic beef stew can make warming properties , but stew’s comfort factor more than a way beyond protecting you from the cold . It’s all about those tender chunks of food and vegetables, swimming in a thick, ultra-rich gravy. The more they come together creates the ultimate comfort food, no matter the weather.