Southern Style White Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups dried white beans, rinsed and drained
1 ham hocks or 1 ham bone, with some ham still remaining
2 teaspoons salt
black pepper or red pepper

Preparation

Place beans in a large pot. Fill water to four inches over the beans.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat on top of stove.
Add ham hock or bone, salt and pepper.
Reduce and simmer covered for three hours or until beans are soft.
Add water as needed to keep beans covered.
I have always eaten these beans cooked extra-soft but you may keep them a little firmer!