Black Beans With Amaranth Recipes

SORGHUM BOWL WITH BLACK BEANS, AMARANTH AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• Rinse the black beans, pick them over for stones, and place them in a bowl. Cover with 2 quarts water and soak for 4 hours or longer. Do not drain.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and add half the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute, and add the beans and soaking water. They should be covered by at least an inch of water, preferably 2 inches. Add more water as necessary, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and skim off any foam that rises. Add the epazote and/or half the cilantro. Cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add salt to taste (2 to 3 teaspoons), the remaining garlic and remaining cilantro. Continue to simmer another hour, until the beans are quite soft and the broth is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust salt.
• While the beans are simmering, cook the sorghum. Rinse and combine with 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add salt to taste (I use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 50 minutes, until the grains are tender. Pour off any liquid remaining in the pot (save for stocks if desired) and return the grains to the pot. Cover until ready to use.
• When the beans are ready, stir in the amaranth leaves and simmer for 10 minutes, until the leaves are tender.
• Divide the sorghum among 6 wide or deep bowls. Top with black beans and amaranth. Garnish with sliced or diced avocado and chopped cilantro. If you want some spice, add a little salsa or minced green chili. Sprinkle feta or queso blanco over the top and serve.

BLACK BEANS WITH AMARANTH

Steps:

• Place the beans and their soaking water in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. If necessary, add water to cover by two inches. Bring to a boil and skim off foam. Add the onion and half the garlic, and reduce the heat to low. Add salt, cover and simmer one hour. Add the remaining garlic, the epazote (optional) and more salt if desired. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Add the cilantro, and simmer for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender and the broth aromatic.
• While the beans are simmering, wash the amaranth leaves in two changes of water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the amaranth. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess water (it will be a beautiful plum color) and chop coarsely.
• About five minutes before serving, taste the beans and adjust seasoning. Stir in the amaranth, simmer very gently for five to 10 minutes, and serve.

NACHO BAKED VEG WITH CRISPY BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Transfer the potatoes, cauliflower and red onion to a large, rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.
• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano and onion powder. Sprinkle over the vegetables and season with salt. Toss to coat and spread into an even layer. Bake for 25 minutes.
• Add the black beans and stir. Continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the veg are tender and golden and the black beans have begun to split and get crispy.
• Top with the grated cheese and return to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
• Top with feta, avocado, green onions, pickled jalapeños and cilantro, if desired. Serve with salsa and yogurt or skyr on the side as well as a few lime wedges and hot sauce.

YAM AND BLACK BEAN BURRITOS WITH AMARANTH

Steps:

• Scrub (but don't peel) the yams, cut them into bite-size pieces, and steam in a saucepan or steamer basket until tender but still holding their shape, about 10 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and then add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeño pepper and bell peppers and continue cooking for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, then stir in the yams, tomatoes, salsa, beans, cilantro, and lime juice and cook just to heat through, about 3 to 4 more minutes. Finally, add the amaranth, chili powder, and cumin and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve in warm tortillas and top with avocado and, if you like, sour cream.