🍲 Bean & Ham Hock Soup

📝 Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried northern beans
• 1 lb ham bone, ham hocks, shanks, or diced ham
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 6 cups water
• Salt & pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Soak the beans (important):
   • Rinse beans well.
   • Soak overnight in water (or quick soak: boil 2 minutes, then let sit 1 hour).
2. Start cooking:
   • Drain beans and place in a large pot.
   • Add ham (bone, hock, or diced).
   • Pour in 6 cups of water.
3. Season & simmer:
   • Add onion powder.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
   • Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, until beans are tender.
4. Add flavor:
   • Remove ham bone/hock, shred meat, and return it to the pot.
   • Stir and let cook another 10–15 minutes.
5. Final touch:
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   • Serve hot 🔥