🫘 Hearty Bean Stew RecipeIngredients:

• 2 cups dried white beans (butter beans, lima beans, or navy beans)
• 1 lb (450 g) smoked turkey leg, or diced smoked sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1–2 carrots, diced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 4–5 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

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Instructions:

1. Soak the beans (optional but recommended):

Rinse and soak the beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse before cooking.

2. Sauté the base:

In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes).

3. Add meat and seasonings:

Stir in the smoked ham hock (or sausage), black pepper, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Mix well to coat everything with flavor.

4. Simmer:

Add the beans and pour in chicken broth until everything is covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Check tenderness:

When beans are tender and the stew thickens, remove the bay leaf and the meat bones. Shred any meat from the ham hock and return it to the pot.

6. Taste and adjust:

Add salt to taste and simmer 10 more minutes.

7. Serve:

Serve warm with cornbread or crusty bread — comfort food at its best! 😋