Frankie Beans Food

ZUCCHINI AND WHITE BEAN FRITTERS

Steps:

• Grate the zucchini and carrot on the large holes of a box grater in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 15 minutes. Squeeze the excess liquid from the vegetables. Put the beans in a medium bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in the zucchini mixture, parsley, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Form into 12 patties, each about 2 inches in diameter. Spread the cornmeal in a shallow dish and coat each patty with the cornmeal.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches and adding the remaining 1/4 cup oil as needed, cook the fritters until crisp and golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

FAUX-FONGO WITH RED BEAN GRAVY

Steps:

• For the gravy:
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the onion, green pepper and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes to soften the vegetables. Then, add the tomato paste and cumin and cook until a deep reddish-brown color is achieved. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until they become tender, about 5 minutes. Pour in the broth and the beans, bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the gravy thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. (Chef's Note: The consistency will be soupy.) Adjust the seasonings with salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
• For the faux-fongo:
• Heat 2-inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 360 degrees F.
• Cut the plantains into 2-inch pieces, then remove their skins with a knife by cutting through a corner of the flesh along the length of the slice to get a lead, then peel the fruit. Fry the plantains, in batches, in the oil until when tapped with a metal spoon it sounds hard, about 8 minutes. Transfer the pieces to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining plantains.
• Sandwich the plantains between parchment paper and, using a small plate or a coffee mug, press them so they are about 1/2-inch thick. Fry the plantains again at 360 degrees F until crisp and golden, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly.
• Add the fried plantains to a food processor. Combine them with the bacon, bacon fat, and garlic, then pulse until everything is blended, but still chunky. (Chef's Note: The texture should be a mix of crunchy, moist and tender.) Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon in enough Faux-Fongo to fill a 6-ounce ramekin and press the mixture down well. Invert the portion onto a plate and ladle the gravy around it. Repeat with remaining 3 servings.

GRAMMY CARL'S RULE FOR BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Put the beans in a large bowl or pot with water to cover and soak at room temperature overnight.
• The next day, dice half the salt pork and leave the other half in 1 piece. Drain the beans and put them in a large Dutch oven with the whole piece of salt pork and enough water to cover, about 1 quart. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, and simmer until soft, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain the beans, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the diced salt pork in another large Dutch oven (or clean the first one) and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent and slightly crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, molasses, ketchup, dry mustard, cooked beans and enough of the reserved cooking liquid to cover the beans. If necessary, add more water to cover the beans.
• Bake, covered, until the beans are soft to the tooth and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 hours. When finished, season with some salt and pepper and serve hot.

SWEET AND SMOKY BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• In a heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat to render the fat, about 5 minutes. Discard all but 2 tablespoons fat.
• Add the onion, pepper, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the beans, molasses, barbecue sauce, ketchup, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustards, vinegar, and liquid smoke. Simmer the beans, uncovered, until rich and thickly flavored, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Alternatively, place the baked beans in a deep baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Add salt, pepper, or any other ingredient to taste.

SNEAKY VEGGIE FRANKS AND BEANS

Steps:

• Put the dogs, beans, orange puree, and ketchup (or bbq sauce) in a saucepan and heat over medium until heated through, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Alternatively, place the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, cover the top of the bowl with a wet paper towel, and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, pausing to stir occasionally.
• Note:.
• Be careful, hot dogs can be a choking hazard for children under 4.