Email to Deborah Eastes      

SANTA FE BEAN POT

Recipe Introduction


This is very good with rice and some salsa.
Makes a lot, and freezes well. Good for potlucks, we're always asked for the recipe.





List of Ingredients



• 2 pounds dry black beans
  
• 3 quarts water
  
• 1 large onion
  
• 1 clove garlic
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1 tablespoon oil or bacon fat
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• 1 pound smoked ham, ground
  
• 1 cup tomato juice
  
• 1 teaspoon cumin
  
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
  
• 1 pound cubed ham
  
• sour cream
  






Instructions



1. Soak beans in water to cover plus three inches overnight.
   
   
2. Drain the next day, add 3 quarts water, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
   
   
3. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for two hours.
   
   
4. Heat oil or bacon fat in a skillet. Cook ground ham for 2 to 3 minutes, add tomato juice, salt and pepper, and spices.
   
   
5. Stir into beans, simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add ham cubes and simmer 10 minutes longer.
   
   
6. Top with sour cream.
   
   






Final Comments


Some beans take longer to cook than others, so step 3 make take longer than suggested. Don't add salt to beans before they are cooked through as it toughens the skins and the beans take longer to cook.