The Best Basque Beans Recipes

BASIC BASQUE BEANS

Steps:

• Wash and pick over beans to discard any stone or other debris. After preliminary preparation, add fresh cold water (hot water toughens them) to about 2 inches above beans.
• Add soup bones or ham hocks. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam that forms. After beans have simmered covered for about 45 minutes, and are beginning to soften, add the rest of the ingredients. (If onion or salt is added in the beginning, the beans may toughen).
• Continue cooking for about 45 minutes, or until beans are very tender. Adjust seasoning to taste.

BASQUE BEANS RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• In an 8 quart heavy pot, put beans and at least twice as much water. Cover and bring to boil. Turn off heat and let sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and return to the pot. Add remaining ingredients except for the chorizo, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and simmer for 1 hour. Add chorizo and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Beans should be very tender and the liquid will thicken a bit. Taste to see if it needs salt and pepper.

BASQUE BEANS (INCLUDING CROCK POT VERSION)

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight.
• Cover beans with cold water and cook until nearly tender (about 1 ½ hours, or 30 minutes in a pressure cooker).
• Drain.
• (this can be done a day ahead) In large casserole, heat oil and cook onion until soft; stir in garlic, then tomatoes, parsley, beans, red pepper flakes, oregano and 1 cup water.
• Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat, or uncovered in 340°F oven for 2-3 hours, until beans are tender and most of liquid is absorbed.
• Stir in green pepper and cook, uncovered, 20 minutes longer.
• Season to taste.
• For crock pot: Prepare beans up to step 2.
• Add all remaining ingredients, including beans, to your crock pot.
• Cook on low for 10-12 hours.

WHITE BEANS A LA BASQUE

Steps:

• Place white beans in large pot full of cold water. Bring to a boil; drain.
• Cover beans again with cold water and bring to a boil. Add the bacon and sausage and simmer very slowly over low heat for one hour.
• Heat the olive oil in a separate pan and add the onion. Cook 2-3 minutes and then add the garlic. Mix together and remove to a flameproof casserole. Add the white beans drained, the bacon, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup water. Cook very slowly until the beans are done, as long as two hours, depending on the beans.

RED BEANS OF TOLOSA STEW

Steps:

• Place beans in a large bowl or pot and fill with water at least 2 inches past the top of beans. Soak overnight. Drain and rinse. Place in a pot, adding enough water to cover beans. Boil until a foam rises to the top. Remove from heat, and pour off foamy top liquid.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Quickly brown the surface of the ribs. Add salt pork or bacon, and onion, stirring quickly for 3 minutes. Add garlic, and sauté until garlic begins to turn a straw color. Pour in beans and add enough water to cover all. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are cooked through and centers are no longer tough.
• Add chorizo and continue to cook for 30 minutes. At this time, cook the morcilla separately in a pan with just enough water for them to simmer, and cook, covered, for 30 minutes.
• When the beans are done, season with salt and pepper, if needed. Just prior to serving, remove and cut into sections, pork ribs, salt pork/ bacon, and chorizo sausages, if whole. Also cut morcilla sausage into sections.
• Serve the beans, including a piece of pork rib, chorizo, and some morcilla in each serving.

THE BEST BASQUE BEANS

Steps:

• Combine beans and water in large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Meanwhile, cook chorizo over medium heat in skillet until brown, breaking up as little as possible. Drain and set aside. When beans are finished soaking, drain and return to pot. Add beef broth, pork, onions, garlic, bay leaf and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Add chorizo, salt and pepper and simmer, uncovered, until beans are very tender and broth thickens slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.