[soiltiller]

I've been cooking beans for decades. They are practically foolproof. Overnight soak before cooking. Depending on the taste you want, add whatever spices during cooking. For bakes beans I use molasses, chopped onion, a hunk of salt pork and brown sugar. (Yum, haven't had that in a while, good idea) For a more spanish twist when cooking pinto add chile powder, garlic, cumin. You could even add in some chopped carrot, celery, whatever! Beans are a great, nutritious, inexpensive food. So glad you are getting to know them.