Pinto Bean Soup - Grandma Ellen

Prepare 3 cups of pinto beans and cook

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.

2 or more cups cooked tomatoes
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 brick chili concarne
1 pound ground beef
1/2 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 tbsps. bacon, chopped
2 tsp. salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan, mix the beans, tomatoes, chili, sugar and chili powder.  Simmer slowly.  In a Place bacon in a skillet.  When hot, brown the ground beef slightly adding the onion and green pepper, stirring often.  Add salt and pepper.  Mix the meat sauce into the bean mixture and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, being carful not to let scorch (they burn easily).  May let it simmer 2 to 3 hours.

Good served with cornbread, monkey bread, breadsticks or white bread.