Navigating my culinary preferences as a North American in a relationship with an Indigenous man from Ecuador has its challenges. But thanks to L&S Artisan Meats, I’ve found a way to bridge our diverse tastes and create simple yet delicious dinners that we both savor. Allow me to take you on a journey through my kitchen as I prepare a quick, delicious meal using L&S ham hocks, a dish that has become a staple after work dinner in our home.
The Recipe: L&S Ham Hocks and Rice
This recipe is a testament to the incredible smoked ham hocks from L&S. These hocks are smoked to perfection, adding a rich, smoky depth to our dinner. The meat, tender and falling off the bone, creates a mouthwatering blend of flavors. Here’s how I prepare this simple meal that my partner and I both love:
Ingredients:
1 L&S smoked ham hock
1 cup rice
1 onion, chopped
1 bag of raw peas
2 cups water
Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Start by firing up your Instant Pot. The convenience and speed of this kitchen gadget make this meal a breeze to prepare. (If you don’t have an Instant Pot, a regular pressure cooker works just as well.)
- Add a touch of oil to the Instant Pot and sauté the chopped onion until it’s translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the rice, raw peas, and salt, allowing them to mingle with the sautéed onion for a minute or two.
- Place the star of the show, the L&S smoked ham hock, right on top of the rice and peas.
- Pour in two cups of water, allowing everything to mix together in the Instant Pot.
- Seal the Instant Pot and set it to cook for 12 minutes. The smoky goodness of the ham hock will create a flavorful dish in minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, carefully release the pressure from the Instant Pot and unveil your culinary masterpiece.
Culinary Connections with L&S Artisan Meats!
Another amazing post by Emily Leukhardt.
L&S Artisan Meats, nestled in the picturesque Cotacachi region of Ecuador, is not just a farm but a perfect example of community and quality. For the past decade, they’ve been supporting local communities by providing employment opportunities to young Indigenous men and women from the surrounding areas. The result? A vibrant and interconnected community, much like the delicious flavors that come together in my kitchen.
A Meal Born of Community
What makes this dish even more special is knowing that the delicious L&S ham hocks come from a farm that values its community just as much as its products. The young Indigenous men and women from the surrounding areas who work at L&S Artisan Meats are a testament to the power of supporting local communities. It’s a circle of giving back, where the farm thrives because the community thrives, and vice versa.
In the end, it’s not just a meal; it’s a celebration of cultures coming together. The smoky, tender ham hock, the freshly harvested peas, and the comforting rice come together to create flavors that transcend boundaries. It’s a reminder that good food has the power to connect us, no matter where we come from.
So, the next time you sit down to enjoy a meal, consider the story behind the ingredients. In my kitchen, L&S ham hocks have become a symbol of unity and a testament to the goodness that can arise when communities come together.
Here’s to culinary harmony and the power of good food to bring us all closer together!
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L&S Artisan Meats is Ecuador’s finest pork, chicken, and beef producers—farm-to-table pasture-raised pork, aged meats, gourmet sausages, and smoked products since 2012. We are family-owned and operated, live and work here amongst the volcanoes of the Northern Andes…
