The Ultimate Pot of Beans

The Ultimate Pot of BeansIngredients:
1 lb. pinto beans
1 small thinly sliced onion
1 bay leaf
3/4 lb. Blue Grass Pork Jowl Bacon
1 T tomato paste
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1 T paprika
1 T salt

Directions:
1. Pick over beans, rinse well then cover with cold water and soak for 6 hours or overnight.
2. In a large soup pot, add the bacon and cook bacon until crispy. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Rinse beans. Add beans, tomato paste and bay leaf to pot and add water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer, partly covered with lid and cook for 45 minutes-1 hour, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in cayenne pepper, paprika and salt. Add a sprinkle more of each if needed.

— Michelle L