Slow Cooker Spicy Black Bean Corn Casserole Cooking Light Food

SIMPLEST SLOW COOKER BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans, onion half, bay leaf, garlic, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, pepper flakes (if using), and olive oil (if using) into a slow cooker. Cover with 8 cups of water. Cover pot. Cook on high heat for 6 to 8 hours or until the beans are done, but start checking at the 4-hour mark - all slow cookers are different and times might vary, too, depending on the age of your beans.
• Taste. Add more salt to taste. I add 2 more teaspoons, but start with 1 or a 1/2 teaspoon and adjust from there. Note: When you first taste a bean, do not expect to be wowed. The beans develop more flavor as they cool in their cooking liquid, which will continue to season them. As noted above, I find they taste even better on day 2.
• Store the beans in their cooking liquid. I love these deli quart containers for this purpose. I freeze the beans in their cooking liquid in these quart containers as well.

SPICY BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, salt, chile powder and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chiles, beans and broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans have softened and the sauce has thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro leaves and Cotija.

CORN & BLACK BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine corn, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, & beans. Mix well.
• Whisk together remaining ingredients: toss with bean mixture.
• Cover & chill at least 1/2 hour.

SLOW-COOKED BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Generously cover the beans with cold water and leave to soak overnight, then drain.
• Heat the oven to 160C/Gas 3/fan oven 140C. Cut the bacon rind off in one piece and put it in the bottom of a medium-sized casserole. Add the beans, onion, bouquet garni, garlic and some pepper and bury the meat in the beans. Pour in enough water to cover the beans generously and add the lid. Bake until the beans are very soft and a few start to burst. This can take 1-3 hours, depending on the age and type of bean and the thickness of the pot, so check occasionally to see how they are doing. If the beans begin to dry, add more water. The liquid should have evaporated so that the beans are moist but not soupy. If the liquid is too thin, take the lid off for the last half hour's cooking, or at the end of cooking, boil the pot on top of the stove to evaporate the liquid.
• When the beans are tender, stir in the wine and some salt and pepper. Cover and leave to cool for about an hour, so the beans absorb the wine. Remove the bacon and discard the onion and bouquet garni. Dice the bacon and stir it into the beans. The bacon rind can be discarded, or diced and added to the pot.
• Reheat the beans and, if too much liquid remains, boil to reduce it. Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve.

SPICY BLACK BEAN SOUP (SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• For black beans either: 1) soak overnight and then drain/rinse before adding to slow cooker OR 2) combine with vegetable broth and bring to a rolling boil for 15-30 minutes before adding to slow cooker (broth and beans).
• Combine beans, jalapeños, corn, and vegetable broth in a slow cooker.
• Season with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
• Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
• **I used an immersion hand-blender to roughly puree the soup before serving. This gave it a little thicker texture. You could also serve "as is" or puree in a food processor.

SLOW COOKER SPICY BLACK BEAN AND SWEET POTATO CHILI

Steps:

• In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, orange juice, oil, chipotles and adobo sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, garlic cloves, and dried spices. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt, a generous amount of pepper and 1 cup water. Cook on low until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 8 hours. The chili holds well on the warm setting.
• Just before serving, stir in the corn and let it warm through, about 5 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Top with avocado and red onion.

SLOW COOKER SPICED ROOT & LENTIL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat the slow cooker to low. Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for 10 mins until soft and transparent. Add the carrots and parsnips and fry for 8-10 mins more until the veg is just golden. Stir in the garlic and spices, and fry for 4-5 mins until fragrant, stirring. Add a splash of water if needed. Tip into the slow cooker and stir through the lentils, stock, bay and seasoning.
• Close the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hrs until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. Check the seasoning and stir in the lemon juice to taste. Serve with bread, rice, or potatoes, if you like.