Cominghome White Beans

Molly and I got back to Pass Christian at 10:30 PM Tuesday after over three weeks in New Zealand and a rainy, bumpy 24 hour series of flights back. We were beat, hungry and we knew there was no food in the house. Not good.

BUT! Win and Heather had been back before us, dropped off the car and left one of Heather’s wonderful meals for us in the ice box: a restorative bowl full of Cominghome White Beans, salad, and fresh bread. And there was red wine. After a minute of so in the microwave we ere home again. And happy to be here.

Thanks Heather........for the thoughtfulness and best beans ever.

Here’s her instructions:

1 lbs White Beans, rinsed and soaked
1 smoked ham bone with lots of meat
4 bay leaves
Black pepper- to taste
1 large onion - chopped
2 stalks of celery - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - crushed
Hot sauce du jour - a few shakes
Water
Salt- ADD AT THE END

In large pot, sauté onion, celery, and garlic in olive oil. Once the
veggies are soft, add the rinsed beans, ham bone, seasonings and bay leaves.
Stir around for a minute of two. Then add the water. It should come up 1
inch over the beans. Cover and bring to a boil. Once there, reduce heat to
LOW and simmer for 2 hours. The beans will begin to break down after 2
hours. At that time, take a wooden spoon and press some of the softened
beans against the side of the pot. This will thicken the beans. Add salt
to taste. Continue to cook for another 30 minutes or so.
Serve with rice and a crunchy salad.