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.