Ranch Beans
These beans are on the ranch table every day. Simply flavored with bacon, salt, and pepper, they cook into a delicious side dish every time. These beans are a true taste of Americana, harkening back to early days in the Old West.
Ingredients
- Dried Pinto Beans - 2 cups
- Bacon - 4 slices, cut in large dice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Place the beans in a colander and wash them in cold running water for 3 minutes, picking them over well to discard any pebbles, broken beans, or beans that are shriveled or discolored.
Place the beans in a large pot and fill it with hot water four inches above the
level of the beans. Add the bacon, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Add water as necessary, a cup at a time, during the cooking process to keep the beans covered. For the last hour of cooking, uncover the pot to allow the juices to thicken, and season with salt and pepper.
