kentucky butter beans

How To Make kentucky butter beans

• Step 1
  *Note: May substitute homemade ham broth for water (all or part) and bouillon; adjust salt accordingly. May also substitute fresh beans for dried, omitting the soaking and adjusting weight and liquid amount for fresh beans. Fresh will require only half the cooking time.
• Step 2
  The night before cooking, rinse dry beans well, removing any stones or questionable beans.
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  Step 3
  Pour beans into large bowl; fill bowl, almost to rim, with cold water; let sit on counter overnight. (Beans will swell to triple their dry size.)
• Step 4
  The next day, begin the following steps at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours before serving. Gather and prep all ingredients.
• Step 5
  Drain beans, rinse well and set aside.
• 
  Step 6
  Add olive oil or bacon grease to a soup pot or large dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• 
  Step 7
  Add country ham, onions and pepper.
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  Step 8
  Sauté over medium/medium-high heat until onions are translucent and ham begins to brown slightly; temporarily remove from heat.
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  Step 9
  Add beans and water, bring to boil over high heat (watching carefully to not let the pot boil over,) reduce heat to medium-low; skim foam, if desired (I don't bother because it eventually disappears.)
• Step 10
  Cover and cook over medium-low heat (fast simmer) for 45 minutes.
• Step 11
  Uncover, add salt and ham bouillon base, replace cover; simmer for additional 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beans are tender.
• Step 12
  Taste test for seasoning; add salt and/or pepper as desired. Leave covered, on low heat, until ready to serve.
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  Step 13
  Garnish with chives or green tomato relish, if desired. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in airtight container.
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