Southern Style Beans With Ham

• cold water
• 1 lb dry pinto beans
• 1 1/2 tablespoons bacon fat
• 1 1/2 lbs smoked ham shank
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic clove, chopped
• 7 cups cold water
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 -2 tablespoon pickled pepper brine or 1 -2 tablespoon white vinegar

1. PLACE beans in in a large soup pot with an accompanying lid; COVER beans with 2 inches cold water; BRING to a boil (uncovered); BOIL 2 minutes.
2. DRAIN beans; RINSE well with running cold water.
3. RETURN beans to pot; COVER beans with cold water again; BRING to boiling again for 2 minutes uncovered; DRAIN in colander; RINSE well with running cold water; ALLOW beans to drain until needed.
4. IN the same large heavy pot over medium heat, add the bacon fat until sizzling; ADD ham shanks and cook, turning, until evenly seared, about 7 minutes; REMOVE shanks with tongs; SET aside.
5. ADD onions; COOK, stirring, for 5 minutes; ADD garlic and drained beans; COOK for just one minute, stirring.
6. POUR in 7 cups cold water; STIR in the remaining seasonings except the pickled pepper brine.
7. BRING mixture to full boiling for 2 minutes.
8. REDUCE heat to medium-low (at approximately the "2 1/2" - "2 3/4" numeric stovetop heat setting); SIMMER beans uncovered for a minimum of 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
9. AFTER 1 1/2 hours check beans (beans should be creamy and the meat should easily fall off of the bones (if desired, continue cooking and stirring uncovered, to desired consistency); CLEAN meat from bone portion of meat (discard bones); SEASON with pickled pepper brine; STIR well and cook 5 additional minutes; RE-SEASON with salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
10. SERVE and enjoy!

cold water, pinto beans, bacon, white onion, fresh garlic, cold water, oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt, ground allspice, ground coriander, ground black pepper, pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/southern-style-beans-with-ham-501216 (may not work)