I remember my dad always making beans. Marine Corp beans, he would call them. He and my mother loved them. It was usually navy beans, ham hock and onions. I hated those frickin things. Gag. The only time I ever really liked beans, was if they were the sweet baked beans, or refried bean, or if they were in chili. Then one day I tasted my friend Diana’s beans. She brought in a big ol crock pot of them into the office. I wanted to hug that crock pot…..and Diana too. Hahahah. I kinda hung around the crock pot, hoping there would be some left at the end of the day. Diana, you make the best beans in the world. After reading this post, I bet you’re thinking “Hmmm, I should make Betty some beans”…….right? 🙂

She puts some kind of magic in her beans, and mine aren’t as good as hers. But I must say, these beans I made, are pretty tasty. I think my dad would have even liked them….they sure taste better than Marine Corp beans.

Crock Pot Spicy Pinto Beans

1 pound bag of dry pinto beans
5 cups of water
1 chicken or beef bouillon cube
1 cup salsa (your favorite kind)
1 tsp onion powder
3 fresh garlic cloves
2 fresh jalapeno peppers (I used red fresno chiles and green jalapenos)
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1/2 – 1 cup diced ham or a ham bone
1 tsp black pepper
salt to taste, once beans have cooked for awhile
minced onion and cilantro for garnish

Rinse beans thoroughly and drain. Dump into a crock pot along with everything else. Turn crock pot on low and let it cook for 8 hours.

Now, how easy is that…..seriously! When you’re ready to serve, just top with some minced onion and cilantro and maybe a nice hot tortilla. I actually like my beans over rice.

Notes:
– Prior to cooking, I don’t soak my beans over night. I just don’t feel it’s necessary.
– If you don’t have any leftover ham or a ham bone, add more bacon. Yep, you heard me..more bacon.
– Sometimes I add some chorizo to the beans. YUM.