Pork and Chorizo Bean Stew

“This post is sponsored by OH Hog Farmers, all opinions are my own.”

Well, its currently the 280th day of winter here in Kentucky. By now, we usually are enjoying the mid 70’s and the trees are completely in bloom. Except this year, when we literally have experienced all four seasons almost every week since March. The teasing is vicious, we get a taste a tiny glimpse of the glorious comfortable temps, and then the very next day its snows. I love snow, but seriously, all the sarcasm noted here, I am done with it. Snow is for November, December, January, February and maybe even early March. But come one its April already!!!!!

So with all the cold that doesn’t seem to be going away I just want to curl up by the fire with a good book and a bowl of steamy comfort. There are many foods that can definitely be comforting for me its bean stew. I grew up eating beans a lot in my family. They are cheap and take on the flavor of anything. Its a great way to feed many people. You can change the whole dish by adding different spices and aromatics. It certainly what I would love to curl up with this cold 280th day of winter.

In order to make beans you can’t just throw them in water and let them cook, you have to season them, give them some umph, umami. The best way to get good flavor into your beans is a big ‘ol piece of pork. You can use a ham bone, ham hock, pork butt, anything that is pork, smoked and full of flavor.  I love using locally sourced Ohio Pork from our amazing pork farmers and I think somehow it makes it taste even better knowing we are supporting our local farmers. It makes the cold days worth and the comfort of the soup that much more enjoyable.

Food is often a vessel of memories for either making them or remembering them. This Pork and Chorizo Bean Stew is just that for me. I am transported to my childhood and I get to make new memories as I curl up with my favorite book by the firelight. I also know that I can make this easily in my crockpot, or instant pot and I don’t have to fuss over it. With all the angst over the weather, I need easy dinners. Get out there and support your local OH Hog Farmers, and make this stew for your family to enjoy!

Pork and Chorizo Bean Stew

1 lb. of great northern beans

8 cups of stock or water

1 ham hock, pork shank, or smoked pork butt

1 onion diced

1 small red bell pepper diced

1 small orange bell pepper diced

1 poblano pepper diced

1 head of garlic peeled

1 pkg of pork chorizo

2 diced carrots

2 stalks of celery sliced

Directions:

Place all ingredients into instant pot and cook on Manual High pressure for 40 minutes. You can cook this in the crockpot for 4-5 hrs or until done.