Great Northern Beans, Rice & Cornbread Recipe: A Hearty and Delicious Meal

Are you looking for a delicious and filling meal that won’t break the bank? Look no further than this recipe for Great Northern Beans, Rice & Cornbread. This classic Southern dish is easy to make and is perfect for feeding a crowd. In this article, we’ll walk you through the recipe step-by-step and offer some tips on how to make it even more flavorful.

Ingredients

To make this dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Beans:

• 1 pound Great Northern beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 ham hock
• 6 cups water

For the Rice:

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Cornbread:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Instructions

For the Beans:

1. Rinse the beans and soak them overnight in a large pot.
2. Drain the beans and add them back to the pot with the onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, ham hock, and water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened into a sauce.

For the Rice:

1. In a large saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil.
2. Add the rice, stir, and reduce heat to low.
3. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

For the Cornbread:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 inch baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

To Serve:

1. Remove the ham hock from the beans and discard.
2. Serve the beans over the rice, with a slice of cornbread on the side.

Tips

• For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth instead of water.
• For a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the beans.
• To save time, use canned Great Northern beans instead of dried. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the pot.
• To make the cornbread even more flavorful, add a can of creamed corn or a diced jalapeño pepper to the batter.

Conclusion

Great Northern Beans, Rice & Cornbread is a classic Southern dish that is hearty, filling, and delicious. This recipe is easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just feeding your family, this dish is sure to be a hit.