Sloppy Beans - My Dad's Favorite

Whenever it snowed enough to be shut in the house, my dad would call me on the phone and lure me out saying, "Your mother just cooked up some beans and bread [homemade]." Of course, I couldn't resist...

So I'd hop right in my car (yes, through the snow) and drive over to keep him company (and eat)!

Here's the recipe:

• 2 cups pea beans, dried
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 or 3 slices of salt pork
• salt

Sort through and rinse the beans.

Cook the dried pea beans in a large heavy pot. Cover beans with water. Bring to a boil and let simmer about 1/2 hour.

Add 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and let cook for another 20 minutes to 1/2 hour. (Adding the baking soda will cause foam - that's normal).

Drain beans. Put beans back in pot, add salt pork, and cook about 2 hours until tender. The beans will give an appearance of being saucy.

These were especially good hot, topped with some ketchup along with a slice of mom's homemade bread.

Dad and I also liked them cold the next day. We would butter a slice of bread and spread the beans on one slice. Serve with ketchup and cover with the second slice of bread. OR ...

Instead of ketchup, my dad liked to pour some apple cider vinegar on top of the beans.

Try all of the above ways and it will sure bring a smile to your face!