Jamaican Red Pea Soup

This is a wonderful dish to eat on a Saturday. It is quick, fun and a favorite in any Jamaican household. Jamaicans love their beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb Smoked ham hocks
• 1 lb Stewing beef cubed
• 2 cups Kidney beans, dried
• 4 quarts Water
• 4 small Potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup Coconut milk -- optional
• 1 Onions chopped
• 2 Green onions chopped
• 1 Sprig fresh thyme
• salt, black, and hot pepper to taste

Directions

1. Soak the ham hocks overnight in fresh water to remove salt
2. Combine ham hocks, beef, and kidney bean in boiled water. Cook for 1 hr to 1 1/2 hr or until beans are tender and begin to split open.
3. Add the potatoes, coconut milk, onion, thyme and hot pepper.
4. Add salt, black pepper, and hot pepper to taste. Stir the soup and allow to simmer for 1 hour.