BEANS AND HAM FOR THE CROCK POT BY FREDA

Steps:

• 1. Sort and go thru beans for any dirt or rocks that sometimes is in a bag of Beans. Rinse Dry Beans, to remove any dirt. Soak over Night, then Drain. OR if in a hurry, Bring to Boil boil 10 min. Turn Heat Off. Let set 20 min. then Drain.
• 2. Add the beans into your Crock-pot. add: water, onion, ham or Ham Hocks,Liquid Smoke, Salt and Pepper to taste.
• 3. Cook on high about 3 -4 hrs, turn down to Low for additional time till beans are tender and meat falls off the bone. Check every 3 hrs for any needed water, if needed add; HOT water, 1 cup at a time.
• 4. Optional Flavors You can add one of the following 1)Bacon in place of Ham. 2)3 cloves of Minced garlic, 2 Jalapino peppers seeded and chopped, with 1 Tbs Chili powder & 1/2 tsp cumin, . . this is similar to Chili beans. 3) Celery 4) you can replace the Jalapeno for 2 Tbs of Chopped Bell Peppers. 5) Refried Beans, Remove the meat, Mash beans with a Potato Masher, till smooth. Note: "you can control the Heat" as to "how hot" you want your beans with the Jalapenos by the amount of Jalapenos you add. These are Just samples of a few things you can do with your Beans. Serve over Rice, or with Buttered Hot Cornbred, or Cornbread Muffins drizzled with Honey, and you have a full budget meal. BEAN SOUP: Follow above recipe, add Celery, and if Too thick add more Water for the Consistency of soup, and bring to a boil, Taste Test season and enjoy.