White Bean and Ham Hock Soup
Ingredients:
1 medium (16 oz) package of dried Northern beans
3 to 4 meaty ham hocks or shank (or meaty ham bone)
1 small white onion, diced
Enough water to cover the beans
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup light brown sugar
Instructions:
Prepare the Beans: Sort through the beans to remove any pebbles or debris, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the rinsed beans, diced onion, and ham hocks or ham bone into a large crockpot. Pour in enough water to fully cover the beans.
Season and Add Sugar: Add salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle in the brown sugar.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours, or on high for 4–6 hours, until the beans are tender and the flavors are well-combined. Check periodically, adding more water if needed.
Serve: Remove the ham hocks, shred the meat, and return it to the pot. Stir well, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.