Chuck's Fancy Pintos

Sauté a small slice of country ham in a heavy cooking pot until the fat is rendered.

Then sauté chopped onion in the ham fat. Add a mixture of water and canned or fresh vegetable stock to the pot, and then add the dried pinto beans.

Fresh or new crop pintos are best. The liquid should just cover the beans. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer.

Add water or stock as needed.

Keep a close eye on the beans so they are always covered with a little liquid.

Cooking time depends on the freshness of the beans.

Stop cooking before the beans get too mushy.