Saturday, March 13, 2010

Food Storage Friday: Papa's Beans

Today I'm sharing my father in law's "recipe" for beans! Dried beans can be stored for years easily and are cheap so go get a big bag or 2! My whole family loves these, they are often served when we get together with my husbands entire family! Slice some french bread and sprinkle in some cheese and fresh onions if you like and enjoy.

Papa's Beans
2 lbs dried pinto beans (about 4 cups)
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (can substitute garlic powder)
3 large onions, diced (can substitute dried onions)
1 TB salt
1 TB pepper
Cayenne Pepper sprinkle to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
1/2 lb chopped bacon or ham hock (you can leave the meat out, but my family prefers them this way)

Sort, rinse and soak beans overnight in a large pot.
In the morning, drain, rinse and fill pot with new water and bring to a boil on high heat while stirring in all other ingredients.
Reduce heat to medium, but keep it boiling. You can further reduce the heat after 2 hours or so, when the beans begin to soften, keeping it at a low boil.
Stir throughout the day every 20 minutes or so, adding water when needed so they don't stick to the pot.
The longer they cook, the softer and yummier they get.
You can also combine all ingredients in the crock pot and let them cook all day as well. Enjoy with a salad and some bread and you have dinner, and good leftovers too!

2 comments:

Full House said...

No way I was just talking to my husband 5 minutes ago about using some of our dried beans today. I am so doing this.

Yes if you don't mind the drive, go to the arboretum ASAP because the desert looks so pretty with all of the rain we have gotten. I will have to think of a list of places that I have gone to with kids and have loved. There is still so much that I can't wait to discover.

Good luck with all of the kids during spring break.

Leslie said...

I love this recipe! You gave it to me years ago and it is the BEST!