Ham Hocks and White Beans

This is a great recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/ham-hock-and-beans-recipe/index.html

I smoke my own Ham Hocks which I think are soooo much better than store bought. Smoked along side what ever else I am cooking. 250 degrees for 4 to 5 hours

I put in 2 cups of water and substitute 8 cups of vegetable broth (the kind in the carton) for the remainder of the water. Total 10 cups of liquid.

Not soaking the beans, sauteing the hocks and the beans, and using vegetable broth are the things I think make the big difference

I have a great pork supplier and I can get big meaty fresh hocks.

If you live in the Oakland CA area, you need to check out Taylor's Sausage.

Raymond at Taylor's, will cut or order, just what you want and he also makes great sausage and links