Step 1

Sort beans; remove bad ones,rocks or other foreign materials.

Step 2

Put in colander and wash under running water. Set aside.

Step 3

Dice half an onion and set aside.

Step 4

Dice raw bacon. Fry in large pot til crispy. Remove from pot and set aside. Leave drippings in pot. (You can save bacon bits for a salad or put back in pot after you bring to second boil.)

Step 5

Add diced onion to pot and saute til translucent.

Step 6

Add some water to deglaze pot then add beans and cover with water. (about 3-4 inches ABOVE beans.)Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then cover and turn heat OFF for 45 minutes. Return to a boil,(add the fried bacon bits if desired) reduce heat to med. low and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.Keep a check on beans as you may need to add more water.Stir now and then.(taste a bean after 1 hour of cooking. You do not want to over cook). Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.