Bean Boquitas Food

BEAN & CHEESE TAQUITOS W/ GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Make guacamole first by combining all ingredients except sour cream.
• Mash and stir until only small lumps of avocado remain.
• Garnish with sour cream piled in the center and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Combine beans, Tabasco, cumin, corriander, salt and cheese stirring well.
• Microwave tortillas between 2 paper towels, 3 at a time on high for 30 seconds.
• Work with one tortilla at a time, keeping the others covered in paper towels so they stay warm and moist.
• Place 1 tablespoon of filling at the center edge of tortilla closest to you and roll tightly away from you like skinny cigar.
• Keep filling away from the edges, as it may leak out when frying and cause the oil to spatter.
• Put seam side down on a paper towel or wax paper and repeat the process until you've made all 24 taquitos.
• Using medium-thick cotton string, toothpicks, or bamboo skewers secure the center seam of each taquito (if you omit this part, they will pop open during frying and make a big mess).
• Heat oil in medium frying pan on medium-high (about 325F) and cook taquitos 4 at a time turning frequently until golden brown on all sides.
• Drain on cooling rack on top of paper towels (this ensures the oil drains away and the taquitos stay crispy).
• Serve hot with guacamole.

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA

Steps:

• Rinse and sort the beans, discarding any broken pieces. Put in an olla or large, heavy pot, add 3 quarts water, and bring to a boil over high heat. This may take from 10 minutes in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven to 30 minutes in the traditional clay pot. When the water begins to bubble, immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer and add the onion, garlic, and lard. Cover partially and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 hours. If the beans are not covered by at least 1 inch of water, add hot water. Add the epazote or cilantro, stir in the salt, and continue to simmer until the beans are almost soft, maybe 2 hours more. The centers of these beans should not be al dente.
• Taste and add more salt if needed, then remove the pot from the heat and spoon out and discard the onion, garlic, and herb sprigs. The beans are now ready to eat, though they will have even better flavor if allowed to sit for at least a few hours-or better yet, overnight- before reheating and serving. (They should be transferred to a storage container with the broth, covered, and stored in the refrigerator, where they will keep for at least 4 days.)
• Serve the beans in small bowls with plenty of the soupy broth and a dollop of the salsa, if desired. These beans can also be used to prepare other bean dishes, such as Frijoles Chinos o Fritos, Frijoles Puercos, or Frijoles Charros.