Delicious Pinto Beans

Wash and look thru beans, removing any bad ones.
Cover in several inches of water in pot with lid to soak overnight.
--OR the fast-soak method - bring to boil, cover and let simmer 10 minutes, turn off heat and let set for an hour.
Drain water and rinse beans.
Note - 1 lb dry beans = about 2½ cups dry, about 8 cups cooked.

Crockpot

Put into crockpot, and fill with fresh water 1 inch or so from top.  Add a piece of hamhock or any other meat you like.  Cook on high for about an hour-and-a-half, turn on low for 6 hours.

Stovetop

Add hamhock, beans, and fresh water.  Bring to a boil.  Turn on low, covered for about 3 - 4 hours.  Add a little water if it gets low.

Add salt to taste when beans are fully cooked.

►Serve with pan-fried cornbread.  Yummy!  =)
We mix cornbread as usual, and fry in a pan with a little butter.  We like it this way because you get more of the outer crust.

Some people like to cook pintos with chopped onion, or a couple of jalapeño peppers with seeds scraped out and discarded (wear gloves!), and/or a few peeled cloves of garlic.