(Adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe)

Another offering for another of roomy's Pot Lucks this weekend! A simple, but very tasty dish that feeds quite a few hungry folks as a side-dish.

Fresh green beans flavored with ham and red onions, with chicken and ham broth for more flavor and a few spices to liven things up further. And ultra-simple to make, because it cooks in a slow cooker/crockpot. Minimal effort needed!

You could kick this up with a bit of red pepper, or take the flavor in other directions with a change of spices. Easy enough to use as a good "jumping off" spot for more innovations! Give 'em a try!

Note: Slow cookers can "cook down" the flavor of herbs and spices with their long, warm cooking times. When the beans have reached their desired tenderness, taste the results. If necessary, "kick things up" with some sprinkles of the "after cooking" spices listed in the ingredients below.

Ingredients:
4 C hot Water
~2 ½ lb fresh Green Beans
1 ½ lb Smoked Spiral Sliced Ham Pieces
2 Med Red Onions
~1 Tbs Lemon Juice (to taste)
3 tsp Minced Garlic
2 tsp Prepared Horseradish
2 tsp Better Than Bullion Ham Base
2 tsp Better Than Bullion Chicken Base
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Herbs de Province
1 tsp Omnivore Salt
1 tsp ground Black Pepper

"After Cooking" Spices
Granulated Garlic
Granulated Onion
Thyme
Herbs de Provence
Omnivore Salt
Ground Black Pepper

Directions:
Cut the beans into approximately 2-3 inch lengths (makes for easier serving in a buffet). Dice the onions. Chop the ham into approximately 1 inch chunks.

In the crockpot, add the hot water and the ham and chicken base. Add the spices. Stir until the base pastes dissolve.
Add the onions, ham, and green beans. Stir to combine.

Cook on high for ~4 hours, or medium for 6-8 hrs (depending on your cooker), until beans are tender, but not mushy.

Stir in lemon juice, as desired, to “brighten” the flavor.

Taste the results: Slow Cooking mutes the flavors of most herbs and spices. If desired, "freshen up" the flavors using sprinkles of the "after cooking" spices listed in the ingredients. Just sprinkle, (a quarter to a half a teaspoon, no more!), stir, and taste until you get the flavor profile you desire. Easy Peasy!

Makes about ~10-12 side servings