Chili Frijoles Mexican Beans Recipes

FRIJOLES (MEXICAN STYLE PINTO BEANS)

Steps:

• Soak beans according to package directions; drain.
• Heat oil in stock pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Add salt pork; cook 2 minutes, until browned.
• Reduce heat to medium; add onions and chile and cook 4 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Add drained beans, water and cumin seed.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add salt and continue to cook 25 to 35 minutes more, until tender.
• (Can be made ahead. Cool. Transfer to large microwaveproof container. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To reheat: Microwave on high 10 minutes, stirring once after 5 minutes, until heated through.) Makes 7 cups.
• Refries Beans (frijoles refritos):.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or lard in large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until browned.
• Add 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic and cook 30 seconds.
• Add 2 cups cooked beans and 1/3 to 1/2 cup bean liquid to skilet.
• (Or, microwave 2 cups refrigerated beans and 1/3 to 1/2 cup bean liquid on High, 2 to 3 minutes, until room temperature, and add to skillet).
• Mash beans and liquid coarsely with back of wooden spoon or potato masher.
• Cook 1 to 2 minutes more, untilheated through, addingmore bean liquid or water if needed.
• Transfer beans to a food processor.
• Process just until smooth.
• Makes 2 cups (4 servings).

CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Pour dry beans into a colander and rinse them off, removing any unwanted pieces. Add to a large pot with 6 cups of water (or enough to cover them by about 2 inches), a small chunk of onion, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 hours, until the beans are tender, but not bursting. (Mine usually take about 1 hour but depends on how dry/old your beans are). Check them a few times during cooking to make sure they are covered in water and add a little more water if needed.
• Once the beans are tender, drain them, reserving the liquid and pouring it into a measuring cup. Add additional water (or reduce liquid if needed) to make 2 ½ cups of total liquid. Stir in 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon. Set aside.
• Add the bacon and chorizo to a large pot and cook for about 5 minutes or until bacon is cooked. Remove some of the grease. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add ham (sausages, if using), diced tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, oregano, paprika, cumin, black pepper and cook for 5 additional minutes.
• Add cooked beans and broth and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, or additional spices if needed. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
• Serve as a main dish, wish warm tortillas, or as a side dish. When serving as a side dish I like to thicken the beans by adding a cornstarch slurry at the end (1 tablespoon of corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water).

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA (MEXICAN PINTO BEANS RECIPE)

Steps:

• Stovetop Method: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and fill with water, covering the top of the beans by 2 inches. Let the beans soak overnight.
• When ready to cook, place the beans in a large 6-8 quart pot with a heavy lid. Add the onion wedges, garlic, and hambone if using.
• Pour in enough water to cover the beans by 3-4 inches. Set the heat on medium.
• Cover and bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat and simmer on medium-low to low for 2-4 hours, until the beans are very soft. *Even after soaking overnight, beans take a varied amount of time, base on how old they are. "New" dried beans will cook faster than beans that have been sitting in the pantry for months/years.
• Once the beans are soft, remove the onion, garlic, and hambone. Stir in the pico de gallo. Taste, then salt as needed.
• Instant Pot Method: When using an electric pressure cooker, you do not have to soak the beans overnight.
• Place the beans in a 6+ quart Instant Pot. Add the onion wedges, garlic, and hambone if using.
• Add 5 cups of water. Lock the lid into place and set on Pressure Cook High for 35 minutes.
• Perform a natural release. Once the steam button drops, it is safe to open the lid. If the beans are still firm, you can Pressure Cook again for 5-10 minutes. Then perform a Quick Release.
• Once the beans are soft, remove the onion, garlic, and hambone. Stir in the pico de gallo. Taste, then salt as needed.
• Crock Pot Method: Place the dried beans in a large 6-8 quart slow cooker. Add the onion wedges, garlic, and hambone if using. Pour in 8 cups water. (You do not have to soak the beans for this method.)
• Set the crock pot on HIGH for 8-10 hours or on LOW for 15-17 hours. Once the beans are soft, remove the onion, garlic, and hambone. Stir in the pico de gallo. Taste, then salt as needed.

FRIJOLES (MEXICAN BEANS)

Steps:

• Add salt to taste if other than Salt Pork is used (optional).
• Soak beans in water overnight.
• Add salt pork, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano; simmer on low heat at least 4 hours or water is absorbed and mixture is thick.

CHILI FRIJOLES - MEXICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Wash beans thoroughly.
• Cover with cold water and let stand overnight.
• Drain well and cover with boiling water; add onion and cook until tender.
• Drain and chop beans fine; add salt, pepper and chili powder.
• Brown bacon in skillet; add garlic, cook until golden and remove from fat.
• Stir beans into fat and cook until brown; remove to platter.
• In same skillet, cook tomatoes, onions, chili powder and salt until reduced to about half.
• Mash or whirl in a food processor/blender; add more salt and chili powder to taste, reheat and pour over beans.