Ingredients:
- 1 (1-pound) package Camellia Brand Pinto Beans, rinsed and sorted
- 5 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, ground
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- chowchow and cornbread to serve
Directions:
- Rinse and sort beans. Place beans in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches. Cover bowl and let stand overnight. Drain beans.
- In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon and let drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet.
- Add onion to bacon drippings; cook over medium heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 30 seconds.
- In a 5-to 6-quart slow cooker, add beans, onion mixture, stock, 2 cups water, ham hock, peppers, and bay leaf. Cover and cook until beans are tender, 4 hours and 30 minutes on high heat or 8 hours on low heat. Uncover. Add salt and continue to cook on high for 1 hour more. Using the back of a spoon, mash a few beans. Remove ham hock and bay leaf.
- Sprinkle each serving with bacon. Serve with chowchow and cornbread.