Kale, Potato & Bean Pot . . .with ham hocks and garden herbs

     Kale is again growing in our garden so I continue to experiment with ways to include it in our daily meals. This time I cooked it with a ham hock, garden herbs and then added a couple of diced potatoes and a can of northern beans. 
     The aroma was enticing and Barry and I both deemed it a yummy peasant-style main dish.

Kale, Potato & Bean Pot w/ Ham Hocks
3 to 4 large handfuls of kale -- washed, stemmed & chopped  
1 small ham hock
1 onion, minced
3 to 4 tablespoons each -- chopped (fresh) parsley, thyme and oregano
Water to cover
Kosher salt and coarse pepper to taste (it is easy to over salt kale, so go easy with this seasoning)
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (15 oz.) can northern beans

1. Add kale, ham hock, onions and herbs to a cooking pot. Add water to cover and season with salt and pepper.
   
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer; cover and simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until ham is falling off the bone and the kale is soft and wilted.
3. Add potatoes and beans; cover and cook another 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are almost soft. It will still be soup-like at this stage.
4. Remove lid and continue to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes to absorb excess liquid. Taste and adjust seasonings at this point.
   

Recipe without photos . . .
Kale, Potato & Bean Pot w/ Ham Hocks
3 to 4 large handfuls of kale -- washed, stemmed & chopped  
1 small ham hock
1 onion, minced
3 to 4 tablespoons each -- chopped (fresh) parsley, thyme and oregano
Water to cover
Kosher salt and coarse pepper to taste (it is easy to over salt kale, so go easy with this seasoning)
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (15 oz.) can northern beans

1. Add kale, ham hock, onions and herbs to a cooking pot. Add water to cover and season with salt and pepper.
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer; cover and simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until ham is falling off the bone and the kale is soft and wilted.
3. Add potatoes and beans; cover and cook another 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are almost soft. It will still be soup-like at this stage.
4. Remove lid and continue to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes to absorb excess liquid. Taste and adjust seasonings at this point.