jpturboprop repliedThe key to using pinto beans is simple. Add about half a teaspoon of baking soda to the water you soak the beans in. Let them soak overnight. Rinse thouroughly! Then slow cook the beans with an ample amount of bacon, salt pork, or fat ham, and some garlic, onions and chile powder until the beans are mushy. Use no more water than necessary. The cooking process takes hours, so plan accordingly!

JennyP repliedBeans are a wonderful alternative to meat and potatos. Here are some of my favorite:

1. Cook pinto beans with smoky ham hock, onion, garlic, kosher salt and coarse ground peppercorn.
2. To your pinto beans, add smoked turkey wing or leg, hot sauce, greens, and a little brown sugar.
3. Puree cooked beans and add heavy cream, carmelized onions, salt and pepper for a great soup.
4. Season cooked beans with oregano, basil, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Serve warm on crostini with shaved parmesan.
5. Mash cooked beans with chopped bacon and a little bacon fat, onion, chili powder, chopped green pasilla peppers. Serve warm topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and cilantro with corn chips.
6. To pinto beans add organic chopped tomatos, chicken broth, chopped celery, chopped carrots, prosciutto, and onion for a great soup.
7. To cooked pinto beans, add sauteed ground beef, tomato paste, carmelized onion and garlic, water, and cooked macaroni.