Martha,
Our favorite way to have pinto beans is what's called "Drunk Beans". I
can't recall where I got the recipe from, it may have been on this list last
year. Add 1 can or bottle cheap lite beer to 2 lbs. pinto beans, add onion
& garlic, seasonings, a little apple cider vinegar (makes them tender & less
gastronomical), cover with water up to within 1 inch of top of pot, bring to
a boil, reduce heat & simmer til done, about 4 hours. I make these in my
cast iron dutch oven & the vinegar helps to leech out more iron, making them
even healthier for you.
Enjoy, Dee in Oklahoma