Hearty Pinto Bean Stew

Carefully sort through the dried beans, removing any debris or impurities, and then thoroughly rinse them under cold running water. Next, place the beans in a large pot with enough water to cover them, making sure the water level is at least an inch above the beans. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil, then cover the pot with a lid and immediately switch off the heat. Allow the beans to soak in their liquid for 1 hour, undisturbed.

After the soaking period has elapsed, carefully drain the beans through a colander under cold running water to remove any excess liquid. Return the beans to the pot, ensuring they are completely submerged in water, and then cover them with a lid. Place the pot over low heat and let it simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans have reached your desired level of tenderness.

In a separate pan over medium heat, cook and stir the sausage, beef, onion, and green pepper for approximately 10 minutes, or until the sausage and beef are evenly browned on all sides.

Once the meat mixture has finished cooking, add it to the pot with the beans and stir until well combined. Next, mix in the canned tomatoes with chiles, ketchup, and chili powder to create a rich and flavorful sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.