4 cups pinto beans, picked over and rinsed
3 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 large onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
5 packets Taco Bell® mild sauce

Place beans, onion and bouillon cubes in a large pot with a tight-fitting cover and add enough water to cover beans by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, place bacon in a medium frying pan and sauté until the fat is translucent, while stirring over medium heat. Add crushed garlic to the bacon, remove from heat and stir for about 30 seconds then add mixture to the beans. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are soft, about 3 to 3 ½ hours total cooking time, adding more hot water if needed. Add chili powder, sugar, pepper and Taco Bell® Sauce. Simmer for another 10 minutes and then serve.

Submitted by: Stephen Knowles