Awesome Beans

Soak beans over night or use the Quick Soak method (see below).

Saute the bacon and ham in souop pot or dutch oven for about 4 minutes over medium high heat, stir as required.
Add onion and jalapeno, cook 3 minutes or until onion has softened.
Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
Deglaze the pot with a splash of liquid, scraping all the brown bits on the bottom.
Add the rest of the liquid and bring to a boil.
Add beans and bay leaves, reduce heat to simmer for about 45 minutes (until tender and creamy).
Add water during cooking to keep the beans covered by about 1/2 inch.
Remove bay leaves.
Season with salt, pepper, red pepper and hot suace to taste.

CrockPot:
Fix as above, but instead of the 45 minute cook, transfer to crockpot and cook 6-8 hours on high or 11-12 on low.
Stir at about the 2/3rds part if possible.


Quick Soak:
If you can't or don't want to or forgot to soak your beans over night.
Rinse and sort beans.
Place in deep pot and cover with water to 2 inches above beans.
DO NOT add any seasonings.
Bring to boil, boil for 5 minutes uncovered.
Turn off heat.
Cover and let soak for 1 hour.
Drain and set aside.