RANCHO GORDO HEIRLOOM BEANS RECIPES

Steps:

• Sort through the beans and discard any rocks or shriveled beans. Rinse and drain well.
• Add beans to a pot and cover with 2-3 quarts of water, or so the water level is 2" above the beans. Add the roughly chopped onion and 2-3 tablespoons of bacon drippings (or lard). 
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and partially cover. Let simmer for 1.5-2 hours.  Ensure that the water level is well above the beans by adding more water as they cook if necessary.  
• Start tasting them after 1 1/2 hours. If they are hard or grainy they need a little more time.
• Once cooked add 1 teaspoon of salt and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.  I also added a pinch of Mexican oregano at this point.  
• Give a final taste for seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.  I added another generous pinch, so that is about 2 teaspoons total.   Serve immediately.
• If you want, portion them into 1 cup sized bags along with plenty of the broth for freezing.  

Steps:

• Sort through dry beans to remove any stones or hard beans.
• Place beans in a large pot, cover with water, soak overnight.
• Drain beans, place in a large baking pan.
• Peel the outer skin from an onion, dice it up.
• Brown ground beef in a skillet placed over medium heat. Drain off fat.
• Add cooked beef to pan with beans.
• Add onions.
• Add Bell Peppers.
• Chop bacon into small pieces. Place bacon in skillet, brown lightly.
• Add cooked bacon and bacon grease to pan with beans.
• Add Tomato Sauce.
• Add brown sugar.
• Add Molasses.
• Add Yellow Mustard.
• Add Garlic Powder.
• Add Liquid Smoke.
• Add Texas Pete Hot Sauce
• Add Worcestershire Sauce
• Add beef broth.
• Gently stir all ingredients together until mixed well.
• Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.
• Place in pre-heated 300 degree oven, bake covered for 3 hours.
• Add Ketchup.
• Add Salt if needed.
• Add Black Pepper, stir well.
• Return beans, uncovered, back to oven and bake about one hour or until beans are tender. Remember, mine took 7 hours total.
• Serve warm and enjoy!