• 1/2 or 1 pound Great Northern dried beans I used a half pound in this recipe. If you use a pound of beans, double the ingredients
• 4 or 5 cups water
• Ham hock bacon pieces, or bacon grease for seasoning
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 cups chopped okra
• 1 cup celery chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 4 ounce can green chilis, drained
• 1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth
• 1 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

• Soak beans according to package directions, add to pot and cover with water. Add ham or seasoning meat and onion, celery, okra, garlic, chili powder, black pepper and bay leaves to pot.

• Cook until beans are tender (about an hour on simmer) adding more water if needed. Once beans are tender, add chicken broth, tomatoes, and green chilis. Cook another 15 or 20 minutes. Add salt to taste. (Never add salt to beans while cooking. It makes the beans tough). Makes 8 to 10 servings.

You could make this in the crockpot or slow cooker, too. Soak the beans first, then I would just add all the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low for 7 or 8 hours.

You can also use canned beans, rinse them and add everything to the pot and cook until ingredients are well blended. Should take less than an hour.