Cook Talk

Classic Ham and Beans
joe
09/22/08 		I have been asked by a local lodge to prepare a basic Ham and Beans (Indiana typical Navy Beans with Ham soup) for approx. 100 people. I need a basic recipe.
ellen
09/22/08 		One pound of dried beans cooked this way is great for 6 people, OK for 8. So you would want 13-18 pounds of beans.

HAM AND BEANS

1 pound dried Great Northern Beans
water for soaking beans
6 cups water
2 cups cubed ham (1 pound)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced carrots
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
SOME ADD:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Soak beans in 6 cups of water overnight, drain.

Combine beans, water, ham, onion, celery, carrots, parsley, and bay leaf in slow cooker.

Cover tightly and cook on HIGH for 8-9 hours or on LOW for 12-14 hours. Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.

To prepare large amounts in the oven or roaster, 200 is low and 280-300 is high. You need to add sufficient water to get the soupiness you want.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Joel
09/29/08 		Through my wife's church I'm doing meals for sick/elderly. I'm thinking this is a winner and plan to make it Wednesday for six. But is it enough of a meal? What might you serve along with it? Cornbread?

(I guess I should have tested it already but it sounds so good)

ellen
09/29/08 		Cornbread is the absolutely correct side dish, and some kind of greens (collards, spinach, or if you like stronger flavors, turnip or mustard greens) or green beans would be the right vegetable. Hope you have a cast iron frying pan you can grease and preheat in the oven to get that perfect crispy outside. Two boxes for an 8 inch pan, if you use premade; Martha White white cornbread is the classic.
Joel
09/29/08 		I've been using the jiffy corn muffin mix lately. I like to mince a jalepeno and add that to the mix.

Thanks for the tips!

ellen
09/29/08 		That'a a fine mix, but I might skip the jalepeno for elders. Some drained canned corn is good, too.
Joel
09/29/08 		"I might skip the jalepeno for elders."

Of course, haha!

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