Homemade Crock-pot Beans or Refried Beans

I LOVE these beans. And they are so easy. 1)wash and sort about three cups of pinto beans ( for a large pot of beans. Then half can be frozen or used for other things like in the serving suggestions below)

2) If you can, soak them all day with a tsp of baking soda(or overnight, I soak them during the day and then cook overnight)

3) Rinse the beans and drain off all the water

4) Put the beans in a crock pot and cover with water (about halfway up a large crock pot) with some chicken bouillon 2-3 tsps, 4 cloves garlic peeled and smashed (or garlic powder), and a handful of dehydrated onion (or minced onion or best chopped fresh onion)

5) Cook on low overnight. (never add tomatoes while cooking or the beans won't cook) If still not finished in the morning turn on high and cook four more hours it depends on how hot your crock pot gets.

Serving suggestions.

-These are great as is served "as is" with some cheese and sour cream.

- You can add your favorite chili ingredients.

- Make refried beans: Drain the liquid out of the beans, mash them and add some cumin and chili powder (1-2 tsp each) and can also add in some tomatoes or tomato sauce just be careful not to make them too runny if you want to use them for burritos.