SLOW COOKER HAM HOCK AND BEANS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until the onion is limp and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and sage (if using); grind in a generous amount of black pepper and add 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, then remove from the heat and scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker.
• Add the beans, bay leaves, thyme, sausage, ham hock and 6 cups water. Cook on high until the beans are very tender and creamy, about 7 hours.
• Before serving, add salt or cayenne to taste. Using a fork or the back of a spoon, mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker to make the mixture slightly creamy. (It will continue to thicken as it sits.) Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs; you can pick the meat off the ham hock if you like. Top the beans with hot cooked rice and scallions; serve with hot sauce.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker.
• Cover pot and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours until desired tenderness is achieved. To know if it’s tender enough, check if the meat already starts falling off the bone.
• Once cooked, drain the ham hock and allow it to cool down briefly.
• Drain the liquid and discard the rest. Season the liquid to taste with salt and pepper.
• Once the ham hock has briefly cooled down, debone and peel off its fatty skin. Portion the meat accordingly.
• Serve with a side of coleslaw and sweet potatoes or along with the liquid and bread on the side. Enjoy!