Pinto Beans Salt Pork Food

CLASSIC SOUTHERN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse, drain and pick through beans for stones or debris. Soak overnight covered with 8 cups of water, or use the quick cook method below. Drain, rinse and return to the pot.
• Cover with 8 cups of fresh water. Add the salt pork, onion and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook uncovered for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until thickened and creamy. Do not allow to boil.
• Stir in the bacon fat or butter, taste and season as needed with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
• Serve as is, with raw or pickled onions and cornbread, corn muffins or cornmeal hoecakes on the side. Great served with fried potatoes and greens, and some folks enjoy these served over rice.

SUNDAY STARTUP PORK AND BEANS

Steps:

• Set soaked beans in saucepot and cover with water (4 quarts). Bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 1 hour or until the beans are just tender, but not mushy. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Mix precooked beans with molasses and mustard and season lightly with salt and pepper. While beans are cooking, parboil sausages and salt pork for 10 minutes. Drain. Dice the salt pork into small cubes and slice the sausages. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a shallow gratin or baking dish layer 1/3 of the beans. Top the beans with half of minced garlic, onion, diced salt pork and sliced sausages; season with salt and pepper. Repeat with a layer of beans, remaining salt pork, sausages, onions and garlic and finish with layer of beans. Add about 1 cup of reserved bean cooking liquid to the baking pan, cover the top with strips of bacon and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the liquid is almost entirely absorbed. (Add more liquid if it evaporates too quickly.)
• Serve with Corn Bread (recipe follows)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. With a whisk combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar. Beat eggs with buttermilk and combine with corn and corn oil. Swiftly blend dry ingredients with wet ingredients and transfer to baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until bread pulls away from edges and a toothpick when inserted in the middle of the bread comes out dry.

DOWN SOUTH PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Wash pinto beans thoroughly and place in a large stockpot. Add 4 quarts water, pork jowl, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook until beans are tender and tasty, 3 to 4 hours. Add water throughout cooking as needed; do not let the beans cook dry.