Dorothy's Pinto Beans

Pick and rinse the beans, soak in 6 cups warm water over night in a pot or large bowl. The next morning rinse the beans and add to large pot with water covering beans usually 3 cups water per one cup beans would be sufficient. Rinse the ham hocks, bring to a boil then lower to medium and cook until tender about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. If beans aren't thicken by then remove lid add bacon drippings, salt, sugar, chili powder, onion, red pepper flakes, and cook on medium high until thickened. Add more seasoning as needed. Serve with cornbread,rice and fried chicken. Also can add sliced sauted smoked garlic sausage or browned ground meat and tomato sauce to make chili beans.