"This is great served in a bowl with some good old fashioned cornbread." Submitted by Lloyd Rushing of Texas City, Texas USA.

Spicy Beans with Ham

3 pounds dried beans (pinto, large or small lima, great northern, or navy)

3 pounds diced ham (picnic hams are just as good, smoked ham hocks are even better)

1/4 stalk of celery chopped

3 large onions or 3 cups of chopped green onions

1 large bell pepper chopped

2 (10-ounce) cans RoTel brand tomatoes (tomatoes with chilies)

Salt to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons liquid smoke

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 pounds 1-inch diced potatoes

1. In a 12 quart pot, soak beans overnight. Drain, and cover with 8-inches of water. Add all ingredients, except potatoes. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beans start to get tender.
2. Add potatoes and cook until potatoes are tender approximately 30 minutes.

Note: "This recipe freezes well, so if this is more than you want for a meal, freeze some." - Lloyd Rushing.