The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.


1 pound dried Great Northern beans, soaked overnight
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 pound bacon, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup tomato puree
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 ham bone with some meat
3 cups boiling water, or as needed
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and bacon, and cook until onions are tender and golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes to the skillet, and cook for a minute to blend flavors.
Place the soaked beans in a 3 1/2 quart or larger slow cooker. Stir in the onion and bacon mixture, maple syrup, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder. Bury the ham bone in the beans, and fill the slow cooker with enough hot water to cover the beans. Add bay leaves to the top.
Cover and cook for 5 hours on High, or 10 to 11 hours on Low. Remove bay leaves, and season with vinegar, hot sauce, salt and pepper before serving.
superchefster
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.
Beer makes batters better, meat more tender, and sauces more flavorful.
In a cooking rut? Try one of these taste-tested, family-approved recipes using ground beef.


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reviews & comments
August 30, 2007
This bean dish is now an allstar in our family!