After ordering a package of Yellow Eye Beans (among others) from Rancho Gordo, I decided the only proper thing to do was to cook them up with a pot of greens. Beans & Greens is a traditional southern specialty, often cooked with salt pork or ham and served with cornbread on the side. My recipe came from a mixture of various other recipes.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound dried beans of choice (Yellow Eye are nice, but you can use red or pinto too)

1 to 1-1/2 pounds smoked pork neck (or hocks, bacon, ham…)

Kosher salt & black pepper

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup chicken or veggie broth

2 pounds greens, any combination of mustard/collard/turnip or kale

Cornbread (French bread will work too)

BEANS:

After rinsing the beans until the water is clear, soak them overnight in a Dutch oven two days before you want to serve them. The next day, add 2 or 3 pieces of smoked pork neck with pepper. Make sure you have at least four inches of water above the beans, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, which may take up to 2 hours. Let the beans cool slightly, then refrigerate.

GREENS:

On the same day you’ll be eating the beans, tear the tough ribs and stems away from the greens and discard. Rinse many times in cool running water until all the grit is removed. Toss 2 or 3 pieces of pork neck, onion, garlic and oil in another Dutch oven; cook and stir until the onion is tender. Stir in broth and pepper. Then add greens, one handful at a time, until each batch is wilted. This takes about 30 minutes. After tossing in the last handful, turn off the heat and stir. Remove pork necks and set aside until cool enough to handle; remove as much meat as possible (there won’t be much). Return meat to the greens and cover the pot.

Remove pork necks from the beans; remove as much meat from bones as possible. Return the meat to the beans. Simmer the beans until heated through. Serve the beans & greens over cornbread or on the side.

The result: a tasty, meaty, filling meal that costs next to nothing and is very satisfying and easy to make. Enjoy!

 

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