Black Bean Recipe

BLACK BEAN RECIPE

1 pound of black beans
1 small - medium minced onion
4 pieces of chopped bacon
2-3 garlic cloves crushed
1 bay leaf

1. Rinse the beans thoroughly and discard any discolored ones. Soak in water overnight.

2. Tip the beans and their soaked water into a large pot, adding more water bring the level to about 4 - 5 inches about the beans. DO NOT ADD SALT at this stage, as it hardens the beans. Bring to a boil and boil rapidly for 10 minutes, then lower the heat. Simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the beans are soft. When necessary, add more water so the beans do not dry out. The beans are done when you take a bean and crush it.

3. While the beans are simmering take the 4 pieces of bacon (whole or chopped - I have done both ways- If I cook it whole I will chop it once it is cooked.) and cook it. You DO NOT want it crispy just lightly cooked. You mostly want the grease from the bacon in a pan. Once you are done set the pan aside, and add the bacon in about an hour after it starts simmering.

4. In the frying pan that you used for the bacon, use that bacon fat to saute the minced onion until the onion is lightly colored. Then add crushed garlic to the onion for an addition minute. Then add bay leaf for an additional minute - Add some bean water if you need some more liquid.

5. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaf mixture about 45 minutes before the beans are done. Some times I add some bean juice to the frying pan to make sure you get every piece of garlic and onion.

6. Once the beans are done season with salt and pepper to taste. I don't crush my black beans but if you want to after the black beans are done take about 2-3 ladles of beans crush the beans to a puree and cook for an addition 15 minutes.

If you want more meat you could add shredded sausage or chorizo as well. I haven't tried either.

After dinner once they have cooled. I will put the remaining beans into several glass jars, and freeze them, and take them out when we want them.