Zuni Beans

Sort and soak beans. Rinse thoroughly and place in Dutch Oven. Add stewed tomatoes, chiles, ham, and seasonings. Cover well with water. Bring to a boil, and place a lid on the pan. Reduce heat to medium for 30 minutes, then reduce to simmer until beans are tender, but not soft. Turn heat off and let stand for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil again, and complete cooking the beans on simmer with lid off. This will thicken the bean juice. If the beans get too dry, add more water during the cooking process.