Black Bean Ful Food

BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.

BLACK BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Puree two 14-ounce cans black beans (drained and rinsed), 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup each olive oil and lemon juice, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth. Let sit 15 minutes before serving.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Put the beans in a large saucepan, add the water and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Set aside, covered, for 1 hour.
• Return the beans to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, cook uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, and coriander and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add the onion mixture to the beans and continue simmering until the beans are very tender and the liquid has thickened, about 1 1/2 hours more.
• If the beans seem too thick, adjust the consistency with a little bit of water. Stir in the vinegar, season with the salt, cayenne, and pepper to taste. Serve with the yellow rice if desired.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, with a tight-fitting lid, over medium-high heat. Add the onion, pepper, and annatto and cook, stirring, until somewhat soft, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 2 minutes more. Add water, salt, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Wrap the lid tightly with a kitchen towel. Cover the rice, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Remove the rice from the heat and set aside, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

BLACK BEAN FUL

Steps:

• Soak the dried black turtle beans in the water for several hours or overnight.
• Cook the soaked beans in fresh water to cover for 1 1/2 - 2 hours until tender. (Cook fresh favas until just tender).
• Drain the cooked beans while they're still hot and toss them with the olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. The warm beans will readily absorb the flavors.
• Add plenty of salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in half of the tomatoes and parsley.
• Taste the ful. It should be lemony and garlicky, not bland. Add more lemon if necessary.
• Turn the ful into a warm serving bowl and top it with the rest of the tomatoes and parsley and garnish it with lemon wedges and hard-boiled eggs if you like.
• Serve warm, but can also be served chilled or at room temperature.

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9-inch square baking pan.
• In a blender, puree the beans with the oil. Add the eggs, cocoa, sugar, coffee, and vanilla. Melt half the chocolate chips and add to the blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the blender and pulse until just incorporated. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until the surface looks somewhat matte around the edges and still a bit shiny in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting and removing from the pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• For the beans: Place the beans in a bowl or pot, cover with cold water and allow to soak overnight. Drain and rinse before proceeding. (Alternatively, add the beans to a medium pot and cover with hot water. Bring to a boil, and then boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them with cold water before proceeding.)
• In a medium pot, add the soaked beans, chicken broth, 2 cups water, the garlic, onions and green, red and yellow bell peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Then add the chile powder, cumin and salt and stir. Cover and continue simmering until the liquid level is to your liking, about another hour. Taste for seasoning and add more of what it needs.
• For the fixins: Serve in a bowl with sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges and diced bell peppers on the side.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• For the beans: Place the beans in large bowls or pots, cover with cold water and allow to soak overnight. Drain and rinse before proceeding. (Alternatively, add the beans to a few large pots and cover with hot water. Bring to a boil, and then boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pots and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them with cold water before proceeding.)
• Divide the soaked beans between 2 very large pots. Into each pot, add 3 quarts (12 cups) chicken broth, 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons pepper, half of the garlic and onions and 1 gallon (16 cups) water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
• For the spice mixture: Heat the oil in a skillet, then add the oregano, cumin, coriander and chile powder and fry until the color deepens (do not let it brown), 30 seconds to a minute. Divide the spice mixture between the pots of beans, along with the salt (3 tablespoons salt in each pot) and stir together. Cover and continue simmering until the liquid level is to your liking, about another hour. Taste for seasoning and add more of what it needs.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Over medium heat, In a heavy kettle or dutch oven, sauté onions in oil till soft and transparent.
• Add garlic and sauté till fragrant and lightly browned.
• Add more oil as necessary.
• Add water, beans, ham hock (or bone) bay leaves, parsley, salt and cumin.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Skim surface as required.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered for about two hours, or until several beans test tender (add more water if cooking liquid reduces to level of beans).
• Remove ham hock from beans.
• If beans are still watery you can continue to simmer or use an immersion blender or the back of a large spoon to puree some of the beans.
• Dice optional meat and put into beans.
• (If using country ham leave salt out of beans) Adjust seasoning.
• Prepare rice as directed.
• When cool enough to handle, remove ham from hock, discard bone and skin, and cut meat into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• Serve beans over rice with a couple chunks of the hock meat on top.
• Garnish with more chopped parsley.
• Note, I have cilantro as an option as it does have a very strong, distinct, taste that some people do not like.

MEXICAN BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, chili and cumin and sauté 30 seconds. Add beans and broth and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Coarsely mash beans with potato masher. Continue boiling until thick, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with lime juice, salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

BLACK BEAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• If using fermented beans in whole bean form, place the beans in a bowl and cover with warm water. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.
• Cut the chicken breasts into thin, 1/4-inch strips. This can be done easier if the breasts are partially frozen, by the way, but it can be done while they're thawed, as well. Do cut them into the strips rather than chunks, as black bean chicken tastes completely different if chunks are used (as I know from experience).
• In a large, nonstick skillet or wok (ones that have a cover) over medium-high temperature, heat the oils together. Add the onion and garlic and sauté while stirring for 30 seconds to flavor the oil.
• Add bean sauce or whole beans and sauté for 10 seconds.
• Stir in the broth, soy sauce, and sugar and bring to a boil.
• Add the broccoli or edamame (I prefer the edamame, but that's just because I'm not that fond of broccoli) and the chicken strips and bring to a boil again. Cover, reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer for 5 minutes or until the chicken is done and no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
• In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and sherry.
• Uncover the cooking vegetables and chicken and gradually whisk in the cornstarch mixture to the liquid in the pan. Allow to cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. (You don't want lumps.).
• Add toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onion and stir, cooking until green onion is just heated through, about 1 minute.
• Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and salt (careful with the salt) and serve with rice or Asian noodles, and enjoy!
• Note: if you're using fermented beans in whole bean form, and you'll want to soak only the amount called for in the recipe. Left over fermented black beans keep really well in the refrigerator for up to about 6 months.
• Note #2: please know that cooking sherry and regular sherry are *not* the same! Cooking sherry contains added salt and sometimes other ingredients. Generally, it's preferable - to me, at least - to have the control over your recipes by adding individual ingredients yourself.

BLACK BEAN BURGER

Steps:

• Put the wholemeal bread and walnuts in a food processor and pulse to make fine crumbs.
• Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave for 5-10 mins until soft. Cut in half and scrape the cooked centres into the food processor with the bread and walnut crumbs. Make sure the beans are drained thoroughly then add them to the processor with the paprika, cumin, onion granules, and tomato puree. Season generously and pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth and holding together. Divide the mix into 4 patties and chill for 20 mins to firm up.
• Meanwhile make the side salad by mixing the cucumber, carrot, coriander, lime juice and rapeseed oil together. Season and put to one side.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the patties and fry for 4-5 mins on each side until golden and hot through. Place a small handful of rocket into each burger bun. Top with the tomato slices, burgers, and then avocado. Add a dollop of coconut yogurt or burger sauce of your choice. Serve with the carrot and cucumber salad alongside.

BASIC BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large skillet, saute onions, garlic and spices until onions are soft but not clear.
• Add beans and tomatoes, cook until bubbly.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 10 minutes.
• Add salt if necessary.
• Serve over hot cooked rice or cornbread.

BLACK BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix together the beans, corn, red pepper, onion and poblano pepper.
• Sprinkle in cilantro.
• Set aside.
• In small jar mix together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, shallots, cayenne pepper, salt, cumin and shake.
• Pour dressing over bean mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours prior to serving.
• Sprinkle pine nuts on top before serving.