The ham bone.
 

The best thing about the holiday feast is to poach the ham bone. I’m slow cooking ( in the oven ) about two pounds of white beans; with the bone.

I’m feeding the old neighbors that I have. Man, my house smells awesome.

I stripped the leftover meat. I’ll chop it up and dump it back into the final bean pile. :)

Hey that metal tray looks great. I use a Griswald Dutch oven to bake mine, use a Ham Hock for flavoring. Low an slow on the Smoker to a nice Smokey Texas ranch style bean.

My cast iron pot is too small for this load. I’m a huge fan of the humble hotel pan.

Vash - What's your recipe? That looks awesome. What is giving it the red colour? Paprika?

Then get a Le creuset 15 qt Dutchie.

It is the easiest thing. Sauté an onion. I use a table spoon of Mexican chili powder. ONLY cuz I didn’t have a few dried Mexican chili pods. ( pods impart way less red color). I would use three chili pods. Prob ancho for a mild flavor.
Bloom the chili by tossing it in the hot onions.

Toss in some crushed garlic. Dump in the beans. I soak them over night. Then cover the beans with hot water. Stuff in the bone. Bring it all to a boil. Cover. Put it into a 300 deg oven for two hours. Check it halfway, and add some boiling water if needed.

When the beans are hot and creamy. Done. Salt and pepper to taste.

My hotel pan was $20 bucks.

Have you tried 'soul food' type greens with a pork bone?

My 5.5 qt le creuset dutchie was $12.00. Now my Creuset no 43 cast iron Roaster was $20.

Made by a little old black lady, choice of dinner roll (ok) or fresh corn bread (YUM!) on the side.

There are some advantages to living in the south

I heard the Honey Baked outlets sell those things.
Maybe supermarket butchers? I hope.

That looks delish vash. I've also got beans/onions/carrots ready to rock n roll.

Yum....great thread, Cliff! I picked up a bunch of soup beans the other day...split pea....lentil....15 bean.....it's that time of year! :)

Pea soup is probably what I make, if a hambone comes into my possession

Just made chili today. black and pinto beans, few cans of diced tomatoes, last can of rotel, hamburger onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, corn