Crock Pot Northern Beans & Ham {Potluck Sunday}

Good morning everyone and Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!! Before I start preparing some yummy super bowl eats at my house, first things first. Today is Sunday so you know what that means Potluck Sunday. Last week Texas received lots of ice and then snow. Hard to believe we got both in the same week. This is the first time that I can remember that school was closed for 4 days in a row. All I can say is I am glad all that stuff is finally melted cause baby it was cold outside.

We stayed inside for the most part and only ventured out a few times for milk and such. On our Menu were lots of tummy warming meals. Soups, beans and oatmeal for breakfast. I had posted on face book that I had a big crock pot full of Northern Beans & Ham cooking for dinner. A few folks wanted the recipe. I was working on getting my my super bowl recipes posted, so I apologize for the delay on this recipe.

Nothing warms you up better than a big bowl of beans and cornbread. I grew up eating a big pot of beans on many occasion's. Most likely because they were very cheap and they could feed a crowd. I have always loved the convenience of canned beans, but for some recipes they just don't work. If you want beans that simmer all day long on the stove or crock pot, then you need to use dried beans. Pinto Beans have been my bean of choice for a very long time. But over the last couple years I have been leaning more towards Northern Beans.

I think it is because I love the creaminess of the Northern Beans. Plus it is such a nice change from pinto beans. When I make a big pot of beans I use my crock pot for slow cooking. I also try and use ham shanks because they release such great flavor. Ham shanks are also very meaty. They can be hard to find, but most times I can find them at Walmart. Usually when I see them I stock up and place a few packages in the freezer.

If you cannot locate shanks then ham hocks or ham will work just as well. I also add a bit of brown sugar into my beans. Don't ask me why, it just makes them taste so good. I have seen some folks use molasses but I prefer brown sugar. Don't worry it's not a huge amount, just enough to give them a good flavor. Well there you have it my simple version of Northern Beans and Ham. I hope you will give this recipe a try.

Today I will bringing a big crock pot full of Northern Beans and Ham to our Sunday Potluck. Do you have a recipe you would like to contribute? If so then link directly to your post not your homepage. And please include a link back to Mommy's Kitchen so everyone can see all of the delicious recipes. I would also like to say thank you to everyone who participates every Sunday. In usual fashion I have included some step by step photos. The full recipe is at the end of this post.

Northern beans, ham, salt, pepper, onion, water and brown Sugar (not pictured) that 's it. Start by sorting the beans for any pebbles and rinse them under cold water. Add the the rinsed beans, onion, salt, pepper, and ham shanks, hocks or ham (chopped into large chunks) into the crock pot. Add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. (about 6 - 8 cups)

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Cook until beans are tender and a bit creamy. Remove the ham shanks or hocks and pull off all of the meat. Return the meat to the crock pot and add the brown sugar. Sometimes I remove about a cup of the bean juice before adding the brown sugar. It's all up to you and how much water has cooked down with the beans.

Look at all that ham I got off those meaty ham shanks.

Ummm ladle into bowls and serve with a wedge of cornbread and enjoy.

Crock Pot Northern Beans & Ham

1 - 16 oz package dried northern beans (1 lb)
3 -4 meaty ham shanks, hocks or ham (1 - 1 1/2 pounds)
1 - small onion, diced
water, enough to cover beans
salt & pepper to taste
1/3 - cup light brown sugar

Sort the beans for any pebbles and the rinse beans under cold water. Add the the rinsed beans, onion, salt, pepper, and ham shanks, hocks or ham (chopped into large chunks) into the crock pot. Add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. (about 6 - 8 cups)

Cover and cook on low for about 6 - 8 hours, or until beans are tender. Remove the ham shanks or hocks and pull off all of the meat. Return the meat to the crock pot and add the brown sugar. Lightly mix to combine. Ladle in to bowls and serve.

Note: If you want to soak your beans first you can. I never soak my northern beans because they cook really well in the crock pot without soaking. If you do soak them then the cooking time would be decreased dramatically, so keep that in mind.

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