Shrimp And White Bean Stew Recipe

Directions:

1. Soak beans overnight in 4 cups water. Next morning add additional 4 cups water, bay leaves and ham hoc to pot, season with salt and black pepper.
2. Cook beans until tender. Add water as necessary. Remove bay leaves and skin and bones from ham hoc.
3. Rinse, peel & de-vein the shrimp and set them aside for later.
4. In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
5. Crumble bacon, add onion, garlic, celery and parsley and cook until the onions turn clear.
6. Add shrimp to skillet and lightly sauté until just turning pink.
7. Add shrimp, bacon and veggies mixture to the beans.
8. If bean stock is too thin mix 2 Tbsp flour with 1/4 cup cold water, blend until smooth and add to pot. Bring stew to a fast boil and the flour will thicken the stock.
9. Serve hot with buttered cornbread.