You don't need to be from the South to enjoy this tasty side dish. Use fresh green beans from your garden or grocery store, a ham bone, onions and potatoes tomake this delightful dish.
1 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans, ends discarded, beans snapped in half
1 c. chicken broth
1 ham hock or leftover ham bone
water
1 lb. new potatoes, quartered
1 c. additional chopped ham, optional
black pepper, to taste
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; sauté onion and garlic until just softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the green beans, broth, and ham hock. Add water until it just covers the beans.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer 35-45 minutes, or until the cooking liquid turns a deep greenish brown and beans are well-done.
After 20 minutes of simmering, add potatoes and the additional ham, if using. Remove ham hock or ham bone; chop ham off of the bone; return ham to the pot; discard the bone.
Strain the cooking liquid using a slotted spoon.
Season with black pepper, to taste.
Serve.
8 servings.