1/2or 1 pound Great Northern dried beansI used a half pound in this recipe. If you use a pound of beans, double the ingredients
4or 5 cups water
Ham hockbacon pieces, or bacon grease for seasoning
1small onionchopped
2cupschopped okra
1cupcelerychopped
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
1/2teaspoonminced garlic
1/2teaspoonchili powder
2bay leaves
14 ounce can green chilis, drained
114.5 ounce can chicken broth
114.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1teaspoonsalt or to taste
Instructions
Soak beans according to package directions, add to pot and cover with water. Add ham or seasoning meat and onion, celery, okra, garlic, chili powder, black pepper and bay leaves to pot.
Cook until beans are tender (about an hour on simmer) adding more water if needed. Once beans are tender, add chicken broth, tomatoes, and green chilis. Cook another 15 or 20 minutes. Add salt to taste. (Never add salt to beans while cooking. It makes the beans tough). Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Notes
You could make this in the crockpot or slow cooker, too. Soak the beans first, then I would just add all the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low for 7 or 8 hours.You can also use canned beans, rinse them and add everything to the pot and cook until ingredients are well blended. Should take less than an hour.