KENTUCKY SOUP BEANS (PINTO BEANS)

Steps:

• 1. Rinse beans and pick out any stones or clumps of dirt. Put in a pot, cover with a couple inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to soak overnight.
• 2. When you're ready to cook, drain soaking water and beans into a colander and rinse. Put beans into a big pot with a lid. Cover with water again to about an inch above the beans. Cut up hog jowl or salt pork (rinse the salt pork first) and add to pot. Peel and chop onion and garlic and add both to pot. DO NOT ADD SALT.
• 3. Bring to a boil and boil uncovered for five minutes, then turn heat down to a simmer. Simmer for two to three hours, stirring occasionally, or until beans are very soft and the skins break open if you scoop out a spoonful and blow across it. Taste to make sure they're done to your liking. [Note: Cooking in a covered pot results in more liquid than cooking in an uncovered pot. If you like a lot of 'soup', cover the pot; if you prefer your beans to be thicker, leave off the cover. My grandmother half-covered hers, and I do as well.]
• 4. Take the meat from the pot, separate the fat from the meat, chop up the meat and add it back to the pot. Take a half cup of beans from the pot, mash them lightly with a fork until they're a paste, and stir them back into the beans to thicken up the 'soup'. Add salt, pepper and Fiesta pinto bean seasoning (if desired) to taste and serve.
• 5. Recommended cornbread recipe here: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/bread/other-bread/cornbread-5.html?r=4