How to Cook Ham Hocks & Pinto Beans

There isn't a food more country than a pot of pinto beans cooked with ham hocks and served with a helping of cornbread. Pinto beans and ham hocks are a relatively inexpensive and simple dish to make. You can either cook the beans in a big pot on the stove or if in a hurry, slow cook them in a crock pot. However they are cooked, ham hocks and pinto beans are a delicious meal for those on a tight budget.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pinto beans
• Ham hocks
• Large onion
• Crock pot
• Colander

1. Purchase the pinto beans and ham hocks. Go to your local grocery store and buy a small bag of pinto beans. You can buy a big bag and just use what you need right then and put the rest in a zip-lock bag for later use. When choosing ham hocks, try to pick the ones with the most amount of meat on them.

2. Sort the beans. Before you pour the bag of beans in your crock pot, sort through them and make sure you take out any pieces of dirt. Next, put the beans in a colander and rinse off with cold water. This gets off any dirt that may still be on the beans. You can soak the beans in water overnight to soften them if you want to.

3. Cook the beans. Pour the pinto beans into your crock pot and then add the ham hocks. Cover both with water and put the lid on. Turn the crock pot on high and cook for about six hours or until the beans are soft. You can add salt and pepper if you want but the ham hocks will be enough seasoning for a pot of beans.

4. Prepare the onion. When the beans have been cooking about four hours, take the large onion and peel and rinse it off. Chop the onion in small chunks and add to the pinto beans & ham hocks. You can also get three or four small onions and, instead of cutting them up, just cook them whole. If you're planning on having cornbread with your meal, now is the time to bake it.

5. Serve the pinto beans and ham hocks. Crumble a piece of cornbread on a plate and ladle beans over the top, with the ham hocks on the side. Some people substitute a slice of white bread when cornbread is unavailable.

Tips & Warnings

• If cooking the ham hocks and pinto beans on the stove, remember to check often or they may stick and burn.

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[blkmaleindurham]

on 10/14/2009 3 bay leaves are important to add for this dish. Don't Forget it!