As temperatures drop I think about ways to keep warm. That means more baking and cooking. I grew up with a Grandma that could make anything taste great. She was a real magician in the kitchen. We lived modestly, but always had full tummies with good ol' recipes like this one...
Grandma's Trail Beans
First, pour a bunch of dried pinto beans into a big stew pot. (I use 2 cups of pintos today.)
Wash and drain the beans, making sure they're clean and then pour enough warm water over them to cover.
Put the pot back on the stove with the lid on for the night and forget about it til morning.
Come morning, they'll have almost doubled in size and soaked up most of the water so drain them and pour fresh water over them to cover.
Add a pinch of baking soda, a cut up onion, some salt pork or bacon, and stir.
Bring them to a boil on the stove, stirring regularly.
Once they've boiled for few minutes, bring the temperature down to a simmer and cook them for about two hours or until the beans split when pressed with a spoon. They're done at this point...
You can add seasonings you enjoy. We usually just go with a bit more cut up cooked bacon and salt and pepper, but Grandma used to add a few teaspoons of tomato catsup, a tablespoon of worcestershire sauce, a dash of red pepper, a few drops of vinegar, and a pinch or two of brown sugar.
These beans are best when served with a warm piece of corn bread. (That's just my opinion.) Enjoy!
I love and miss you Grams!
