Memory Lane Beans and Rice

Some people say music takes them back in time to specific memories, but I disagree, for me it is food. I grew up in a family where food was important, meals were planned in advance, everyone was required to participate in food prep, and cooking shows dominated saturday mornings- dinner was the center of the day not an afterthought.

There are some foods that just take me back to the days of scrunchies, the Babysitter's Club, and braces - things like cheesecake for breakfast, spinach pies, and beans and rice. All of these foods remind me of a kitchen full of family, NPR, and laughter. The one recipe that never fails to take me back to my childhood is beans and rice. My dad loves beans, I remember him saying on more than one occasion that what he was "craving" was a nice pot of beans- strange. Beans were something we ate after church on Sundays, something we ate in the winter when the sunset around 4:30, and something that made the Wright's Lake menu every year.

As a child and especially as a teen I HATED beans and rice for dinner. I thought they were boring, unfulfilling, and "vegetarian". In reality I was wrong about that, but then again at that time I would have given my right arm for a poptart. Now I am a fan of that dinner. I made it the other night, and I agree with my dad- this is fabulous.

These beans are delicious, cheap and take about 5 minutes to prepare.

"Memory Lane Beans and Rice"

Serves 4

2 c. great northern beans

1 onion, sliced

1 t. salt

2 t. pepper

1 hamhock

water

Place all ingredients in the crockpot. Cover the beans with water. Cover, cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Serve with rice.