1 lb. dry pinto beans, sorted and washed
2 sm. or 1 lg. can Ortega chopped green chili
1 c. chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp. cumin seed, crushed
1 or more tbsp. red powdered chili or to taste
1 lg. or 2 sm. meaty ham hocks, washed
1 lb. ground beef, cooked, fat removed and left in chunks
6 slices bacon, fried crisp and crushed sm.
1 c. tomato sauce
1 tsp. sugar
Salt to taste

In large pot, put first 9 ingredients including bacon dripping. Add water to cover to about 2 inches above everything in the pot. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer covered. After the first hour, remove ham hocks, strip meat from the bones, return bones to pot, and continue simmering until beans are tender, adding more water if necessary. Chop meat and put aside. When beans are tender, remove bones from pot. Add the ham, tomato sauce, salt, and sugar. Simmer an additional half hour.

This is not a low cal, low cholesterol meal!!! Serves a lot of people. Freezes well.