Smoky white bean stew is a meal to relish – it's simple to prepare and packed with a rich flavourful punch. It begins with sautéing vegetables, followed by adding water, ham hock and beans, and finally simmering to blend the flavors. The addition of garlic mayonnaise and bitter greens just before serving enhances its essence and depth.

Creating the garlic mayonnaise is straightforward, yielding about half a cup. The nourishing stew remains fresh for three days when refrigerated, and the garlic mayonnaise for two.

To prepare the White Bean Stew, approximately 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 2 celery ribs and 1 carrot are cut into 1/4-inch dice, along with 1 finely diced onion, a bay leaf, and one teaspoon of thyme leaves. Simulate a brothy base with 6 cups of water, a large smoked ham hock, and 1/2 pound of overnight soaked and drained dried white beans, such as Great Northern or Navy beans. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

To prepare the Sauteed Mustard Greens, blanch 1 1/4 pounds of stemmed mustard greens in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for a minute. After draining and squeezing out excess water, roughly chop the greens. Heat a tablespoon each of unsalted butter and extra-virgin olive oil in the same saucepan. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 a finely diced small red onion, and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in mustard greens and sautee, topping with 1/4 cup of chicken stock and salt.

For the Garlic Mayonnaise, simply whisk together 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard and season it to taste with salt.

Once the stew is ready, detached the ham hock, finely dice the meat, and discard the bones, skin, and gristle. Also, remove the bay leaf from the stew. Blend the chopped ham hock meat back into the stew and season it with salt and pepper.

Serve the fragrant stew complemented by sautéed mustard greens and garlic mayonnaise for a fine dining experience at home. Each person adds them to their preference, ensuring every bowl is personalized.