Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Ham Hock Shanks with White Beans

                                            Serves 6
This recipe for slowly braised ham hocks shanks is made with white wine and no tomatoes. Enjoy with a lush Merlot or try with Reserve or Single Vineyard Chardonnays.

Ham Hock Shanks :

1/4         cup olive oil
4            pounds cracked ham hock shanks 
2            teaspoons  salt
1            tablespoons  freshly ground black pepper
6            cloves garlic, minced
1            large onion, minced
2            carrots, chopped
3            cups good dry Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
2            bay leaves

White Beans:

1/2        pounds Great Northern white beans (soak overnight)
1           small onion studded with 8 whole cloves
2           bay leaves

Ham Hock Shanks

1 .    Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet. Brown the shanks in the oil, sprinkling with salt and pepper. Remove the shanks and pour off all but 1 tablespoon  of the oil. In the remaining oil, sauté the garlic, onions and carrots until tender, about 7 minutes.

2 .     Return the shanks  to the pan and add the wine, bay leaves and rosemary. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1-1/2 hours.

White Beans:

1 .      Meanwhile, drain the beans and put into a pot, cover with cold water to 2 inches above the beans.
2 .     Add the clove-studded onion and remaining two bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Skim off the foam. Reduce the heat and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
3 .     Add the salt and continue to cook until tender. Remove onion and bay leaves. Drain the beans, reserving the liquid.

Serving:

1 .     Pour half of the beans into a clay casserole or other oven-proof casserole and arrange the shanks  on top of the beans.
 2 .    Cover with the remaining beans. Pour reduced cooking liquid over the beans and put in the oven to cook for about 30 minutes.
3 .    Check after 15 minutes and if it has become too dry add some of the bean cooking liquid. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Add chopped tomatoes as garnish.


14 comments:

  1. Good morning, Nee!!!
    It sure is getting to be Ham and Bean season around here, there's a chill in the air:) I'm so impressed that you didn't use canned beans. Marion has been wanting me to make pea soup with that ham bone I have in the freezer and I've just been putting it off. I don't know if we have hocks around here but if we do, she sure would love this for dinner too. She's ruthless when it comes to bones, lol...Thanks for sharing, Nee...

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  2. Good morning , Louise ,
    Thank you very much , I find soaking dry beans and peas overnight rakes some of the starch out You can also make ham and bean with ham bone and some diced ham , all you want is the smoke flavor . Tell Marion I love bones and make all my soups with ham bones , as they say waste not , want not ;- D . Get in the kitchen ... wiggle those toes and make pea soup . I am so bad (giggling ) . Thanks for stopping by (((HUGS)))

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  3. HI Nee, this is a very healthy and wholesome dish. Would love to have a chunk of it, hahaha... You have a wonderful week and regards :)

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    1. Hi Ivy , I love the fall , time to get back to comfort food . Thanks for stopping by ;- D May your weekend be filled with happiness also :)

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  4. Oh, yum! Real comfort food! A favorite in this "neck of the woods!"

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    1. Hi Nellie , It's the go food and I bet you make a mean pot of Hocks and Beans ;- D thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. Really good ham hocks are really good stuff. And with beans? Such a classic pairing. You done good with this recipe -- thanks so much.

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    1. Hi John , Ain't ham hocks good stuff ... I also cook collard greens with them . Thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. Dear Nee, I love ham hocks!! My mom used to make them in a big pot of sauce. It made the sauce taste delicious!! She always made enough so we could each enjoy them.
    I never had them prepared this way but know I would love them. Wish you lived closer!!!
    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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    1. Dear Catherine , I love am hocks , you can cook so many vegetables with them or just along in a big pot of sauce like your mom did . Now that is some good eating .
      I wish we did live closer , what a ball we would have and lets not forget to move Louise closer so we can wiggle our toes together . Oh , Catherine , I am so bad . Blessing to you dear and thanks for stopping by . ~~Nee~~ ;- D

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  7. Good afternoon Nee, A wonderful recipe, even though I have never had Ham Hocks before. My mom or family never made this dish before. I do love the white beans....Have to try this one, the photo is very tasty and inviting. I love your choice of wines you have added on the recipe. Thanks for sharing..Have a blessed rest of the week..Dottie :)

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    1. Good evening Dottie ,
      You have to try ham hocks , everyone I know even in Canada has had ham hocks in some type of dish . they work well with all vegetables or along , as Catherine stated in a pot of sauce ... deliciously together .
      The wine this time is for cooking ;- D but if there's any left you can drink it .
      Hubby's aunt says ; if an Italian is not cooking with wine they are drinking it . Mae is a hoot . Thanks for stopping by and blessing to you ~~Nee~~

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  8. Replies
    1. Hi Medeja , thanks , it's that time of year . Thanks for stopping by :)

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