1 bag dry mixed beans (a mixture of 15, 8, or any variety)
2 to 3 ham hocks
1 ring sausage or cubed ham, chopped
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. can tomatoes, chopped or sliced, undrained
1 red pepper (optional)
1 tsp. chili powder
1 clove mixed garlic, minced (optional)
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash beans thoroughly. Place beans in a pan or kettle, cover with water and 2 tablespoons salt. SOAK OVERNIGHT.

In the morning, drain, add 2 quarts of water. Add ham hocks and sausage and/or ham, chopped. Bring to a boil. Simmer slowly 2 1/2 or 3 hours. Remove ham hocks and dice any meat off the bone and return the meat to the beans. Discard the fat and bones.

Add the onion, tomatoes, chili powder, red pepper, lemon juice, garlic. Salt and pepper to taste. At this point, you can add any other thing you want. Spices, hot sauce, more garlic (cloves or powder), chopped potatoes, vegetables (canned or fresh), more canned beans, anything you might find in a vegetable soup. Or you can go with the straight recipe.

Simmer another 30 minutes to hour. Serve with crackers (or corn bread) and a green salad. Try the basic recipe a few times and then experiment.