Chili Beans - Grandma Ellen

3 cups pinto or red beans
1 pound hamburger
2 slices chopped onion
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tbsp. salt
2 tbsps. chili powder
3 tbsps. brown sugar

WASH in clean water after removing any foreign objects. A colander is handy for washing the beans.

SOAK at least 8 hours (preferably 24 hours). Keep beans covered with clean water.  Use no seasonings while soaking.

COOK according to directions for your favorite recipe.  do not ad salt until beans are tender.  It is advisable to bring beans to a good hard rolling boil and then pour off the water and add fresh water to continue cooking.  This is supposed to help eliminate gas.

Drain off water and rinse the beans.  Cover with triple volume of water and cook slowly. Simmer for 4 to 5 hours until the beans are tender.  Brown hamburger and sauté onions.  Add to beans along with seasonings.  Stir occasionally until served.  Chili can burn easily.  Be careful.  It will ruin the whole pot.