Rick Bayless Home Cooked Cowboy Beans Frijoles Charros Food

CHARRO BEANS (FRIJOLES CHARROS)

Steps:

• Place ham hocks into a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Boil until meat pulls back on bone, about 2 hours. Remove meat from bones, cut into bite-sized chunks. Reserve the bones but discard any fat.
• Chop 1/2 of the white onion, and leave other 1/2 whole; set aside.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, and chop when cool enough to handle. Pour bacon grease into a small bowl.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chorizo in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Place chorizo into a bowl with chopped bacon, tomatoes, chopped onion, and jalapenos.
• Place ham chunks and bones into a large pot, pour pinto beans over top. Add water to cover and bring to a boil over medium or medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, heat bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chorizo and vegetable mixture and saute until vegetables are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• When beans boil, add the remaining onion half and garlic. Let boil for 3 to 4 minutes; add sauteed vegetables and meat. Return to a boil; add cilantro and chicken bouillon. Continue to boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove bones, season with salt, and serve.

EASY COWBOY BEANS (FRIJOLES CHARROS)

Steps:

• Combine pinto beans, tomatoes with green chile peppers, ham, cilantro, red onion, garlic, black pepper, and hot sauce in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour.

FRIJOLES CHARROS RAPIDOS (QUICK COWBOY BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large (4 quart) saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring frequently until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for a minute, then add the tomatoes with their juice. Cook, stirring regularly, for 3 to 4 minutes to blend the flavors. Add the beans, with their liquid, and simmer over medium low heat for about 15 minutes.
• While the beans are simmering, stem the chilis, cut in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Chop into small pieces and add to the beans. Taste and season with salt, if needed. Ladle into small bowls, sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.

DRUNKEN PINTOS WITH CILANTRO AND BACON (RICK BAYLESS)

Steps:

• BEANS:.
• Sort and rinse the beans thoroughly. Scoop into a 4 quart saucepan.
• Add 5 cups water; remove any beans that float.
• Add the cubed pork (or extra chopped bacon) and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and gently simmer, partially covered, until tender, about 2 hours.
• Stir gently occasionally, and keep water level a good 1/2 inch above the level of the beans.
• FLAVORINGS:.
• In a medium skillet, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon but leave behind the drippings.
• Pour off all the drippings except 2 Tablespoons.
• Return pan to medium heat.
• Add the onions and chiles and fry until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Scrape the onion mixture into the beans; taste and season with salt.
• Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
• If the beans seem soupy, boil over medium heat until they are the consistency of a nice brothy bean soup.
• You can also take 1/4 of the beans and run them through the blender with a bit of broth, then return to pan.
• Just before serving, stir in the tequila and cilantro.
• Serve in warm bowls topped with the crumbled bacon.