GREAT WHITE NORTHERN BEANS

I love great northern beans, and I cannot lie; if you follow this recipe, you will love them too!

1 pound Great White Northern Beans, 2 tablespoons bacon drippings, 1 large white onion, chopped, 3 garlic cloves, 1 serrano pepper, finely chopped, 1/2 pound commercial chicharron, chopped, 1 Roma tomato, chopped, salt, pepper, ground cumin, ground thyme, ground rosemary, to taste. Garnish with cilantro.
To degas beans, the musical fruit, get out a 4-quart heavy pot, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 -quarts of water, the beans, bring to a boil.  Remove the pot from the heat, set aside for 4-hours.  Drain and rinse the beans at least 4 times, set aside.While your beans are soaking, get out a heavy pot add the bacon drippings, chicharron, and serrano pepper, until the onions are translucent.  Add the garlic, tomato, and dry seasonings.  Continue to pan-fry for 5-7 minutes, taste. Adjust the dry seasoning to suit your taste.  Add the beans and enough cold water to cover plus 2-inches.  Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, put a lid on the pot.  Cook for 2-3 hours, checking every 45-minutes to make sure you have enough water. In 2-hours check to see if you can smash a bean with your finger.  The beans are done when you can smash them with your finger.  Remove the lid, bring the pot back to a boil.  This step will create a gravy substance.  Taste again, adjust dry seasoning to fit your taste.