Slow-cooked Pinto Beans

I put this in the crock pot this morning and they turned out so well! I remember eating these at least once a week, as a child, and it seemed like each pot was better than the last. There's something about pinto beans that's so comforting. 

Pinto beans are one of my all-time favorite foods! I add sugar to the beans while they're cooking so that they do not break apart as they cook. Not only that, the sugar does add to the flavor of the beans. However, using sugar is optional!

Ingredients

• 1 (16) oz pack of dry pinto beans
• 1 smoked turkey wing or 1 ham hock 
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 4 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 Tbsp salt

Directions

Fill a 6-quart crock pot, half with water, along with the smoked turkey wing or ham hock, and then, turn the pot on the highest setting.

Prepare the beans according to the package directions. I used the quick-soak method which consisted of rinsing the beans and then adding them to a medium-sized heated pot to boil for two minutes. I then turned the pot off and let the beans "soak" in the heated water for one hour. After the beans soaked for one hour I transferred the beans to a colander and rinsed them well.

Once the beans are thoroughly rinsed, add them to the crock pot along with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8 hours. 

If you would like your beans to have a little more broth, add an extra cup or two of water to the beans about an hour before they're done.  

Enjoy them with your favorite bread or other sides. (I usually enjoy my beans with a piece of cornbread.)

©Rolisweets