Best Pinto Beans

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1  pound  fresh pinto beans, sorted and rinsed*
• 1  smoked ham hock
• 1  (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
• 1  (32-ounce) container chicken broth
• 1  green bell pepper, chopped
• 1  celery rib, chopped
• 1/2  onion, chopped
• Dash of red hot sauce
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1  teaspoon  garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon  oregano
• 1/2  teaspoon  thyme
• 1/2  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1  teaspoon  Worcestershire sauce
• Hot cooked rice

Preparation

Place beans in a large Dutch oven, and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook, uncovered, 30 minutes. Drain.

Add ham hock, tomatoes, broth, and next 10 ingredients to Dutch oven with beans; cook 55 minutes or until beans are tender. Serve over rice.

*Dried pinto beans may be substituted for fresh.