When the pinto beans are through soaking, do the following...
Place a colander OR bowl in the sink. Pour in pinto beans AND soak water.
Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Pour SOAKED/RINSED pinto beans into the same pot with the ham hock and "seasoned" water. Add chopped onions (if using). Pour in water until it rises 2 inches above contents. Stir together.
Cover and simmer over medium heat until beans reach desired tenderness.
Check after 30 minutes. If water drops low before beans reach desired tenderness, add more water until it rises at l1 inch above contents.
AFTER pinto beans reach desired tenderness, add preferred amount of salt and sprinkle in the Ham Flavor Packet (pictured above). Soup should be thick and brown (not watery).
Gently stir. Cover pot with lid. Let stand 2 minutes. Taste a "cooled" sample. Add more salt if desired.
Serve hot. Garnish each serving with chopped onions (optional).
REFRIGERATION TIP: Pour cooled pinto beans and ham hocks into a container. Cover with an airtight lid. Refrigerate up to four days.