Spicy Pinto Bean Soup With Ham Tomatoes And Cilantro Food

MEXICAN HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• To "quick soak" beans: Rinse and pick over beans and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water to 2 inches above beans and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least an hour. Alternatively, you can soak your beans overnight, or use rinsed, canned beans.
• "Refresh" the dried chile by placing in very hot water for 15 - 30 minutes. Discard seeds and chop finely.
• Drain beans and put them in a large soup pot with broth, onion, water, ham, and herbs and spices. Bring to a boil, cover lightly, and reduce heat to medium-low.
• If you are using dried beans: Simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Then, stir in tomatoes (including juice if you wish) and "refreshed" chile; simmer an additional 30 minutes.
• If you are using canned (or pre-cooked) beans: you can add the tomato and chile with the other ingredients. Cook for a total of 30 minutes or as long as you wish to develop flavours fully.
• Discard bay leaves.
• Serve in bowls garnished with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
• This freezes well, just freeze (without lime or cilantro) in 1 or 2 serving portions. Thaw in the fridge or microwave straight from frozen. A squeeze of lime after reheating really "freshens" this up after freezing.

SPICY HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• If you've got time, cover beans with water and soak, covered, overnight.
• Otherwise, cover beans with water and bring to a boil for a few minutes, then bring the heat down to low and simmer for 30 minutes or so.
• Drain (this helps cut down on any, uh, gas issues).
• Cover again with water, stock, or a combination.
• Add ham hocks and bring heat back to medium.
• Simmer for an hour or until beans are softened and meat is coming off the bones.
• Add water or stock as needed throughout cooking process.
• Remove ham hocks and set aside to cool.
• Add onions, tomatoes (with juice), garlic, spice, salt and sausage (if desired).
• Remove meat from ham hocks, shred into small pieces, and add to soup.
• Continue to simmer until beans are very soft.
• and tomatoes have broken down.
• Add lemon juice.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with crusty, rustic bread and a green salad.

MEXICAN HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Sort and wash beans; place in large heavy pot.
• Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; bring to boil.
• Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• Drain.
• Or you may cover the beans with the same amount of water and let stand overnight.
• Drain and proceed as follows.
• Combine beans, broth, and next 8 ingredients (broth through garlic) in the large heavy pan and bring to a boil.
• Partially cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.
• Stir in tomatoes, diced chilies,and liquid smoke, if desired.
• Simmer 1 hour.
• Discard bay leaves and serve.
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 tablespoon cilantro.