Simmered Black Beans Food

REFRIED BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Soak dry beans: Place dry black beans in a bowl and add enough water to cover the beans by two inches. Let sit overnight. Alternatively, if you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, place the dry beans in a large bowl and pour boiling water over the beans, covering the beans with at least an inch of water, and let sit for one hour. Note, if your dry beans are a little old, or if you have reason to believe that they will be tough to cook (beans stored in hot or humid climates can get tough), you can add some salt to the water (1 1/2 teaspoons of salt 2 quarts of water) which at this stage will help the beans soften when they cook later.
• Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or corn or flour tortillas (corn if you are gluten-free). Great in tacos or burritos, or for a dip, or a side with steak.

BLACK BEANS WITH CUMIN AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Drain and rinse black beans.
• In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute garlic and cumin until fragrant.
• Add black beans, broth and salt.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, stirring frequently until beans are heated through.
• OR, after sauteeing the garlic and cumin, you can place everything in a crockpot on low heat for a couple of hours.
• If desired, stir in the cilantro just prior to serving.

VEGAN COCONUT-GINGER BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse 1 can of black beans, and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat the coconut oil over medium. Add the cumin and half of the ginger and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rinsed black beans and the remaining whole can of black beans (including the liquid), and the coconut milk; season generously with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are soft and the mixture is flavorful, 15 to 20 minutes. (If you want a thicker consistency, smash some of beans with the back of a spoon as the mixture cooks, and simmer longer.)
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, crumble the plantain chips into bite-size pieces. Add the lime zest and a few generous grinds of black pepper, and stir to combine.
• Remove the beans from the heat. Stir in the remaining ginger and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the lime juice a little at a time until the beans taste bright but the coconut flavor is still rich. Top with the seasoned plantain chips and serve with hot sauce for more kick.

A BIG POT OF SIMMERED PINTOS

Steps:

• Place beans and soaking water in a large, heavy pot. Add halved onion and bring to a gentle boil. Skim off any foam that rises, then add garlic and bay leaf, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add salt and continue to simmer another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until beans are quite soft and broth is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust salt. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove and discard onion and bay leaf. For the best flavor refrigerate overnight.