Black Beans With Amaranth And Epazote Recipes

BLACK BEANS WITH AMARANTH

Steps:

• Place the beans and their soaking water in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. If necessary, add water to cover by two inches. Bring to a boil and skim off foam. Add the onion and half the garlic, and reduce the heat to low. Add salt, cover and simmer one hour. Add the remaining garlic, the epazote (optional) and more salt if desired. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Add the cilantro, and simmer for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender and the broth aromatic.
• While the beans are simmering, wash the amaranth leaves in two changes of water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the amaranth. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess water (it will be a beautiful plum color) and chop coarsely.
• About five minutes before serving, taste the beans and adjust seasoning. Stir in the amaranth, simmer very gently for five to 10 minutes, and serve.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• For the beans: Place the beans in a bowl or pot, cover with cold water and allow to soak overnight. Drain and rinse before proceeding. (Alternatively, add the beans to a medium pot and cover with hot water. Bring to a boil, and then boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them with cold water before proceeding.)
• In a medium pot, add the soaked beans, chicken broth, 2 cups water, the garlic, onions and green, red and yellow bell peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Then add the chile powder, cumin and salt and stir. Cover and continue simmering until the liquid level is to your liking, about another hour. Taste for seasoning and add more of what it needs.
• For the fixins: Serve in a bowl with sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges and diced bell peppers on the side.

SORGHUM BOWL WITH BLACK BEANS, AMARANTH AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• Rinse the black beans, pick them over for stones, and place them in a bowl. Cover with 2 quarts water and soak for 4 hours or longer. Do not drain.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and add half the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute, and add the beans and soaking water. They should be covered by at least an inch of water, preferably 2 inches. Add more water as necessary, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and skim off any foam that rises. Add the epazote and/or half the cilantro. Cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add salt to taste (2 to 3 teaspoons), the remaining garlic and remaining cilantro. Continue to simmer another hour, until the beans are quite soft and the broth is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust salt.
• While the beans are simmering, cook the sorghum. Rinse and combine with 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add salt to taste (I use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 50 minutes, until the grains are tender. Pour off any liquid remaining in the pot (save for stocks if desired) and return the grains to the pot. Cover until ready to use.
• When the beans are ready, stir in the amaranth leaves and simmer for 10 minutes, until the leaves are tender.
• Divide the sorghum among 6 wide or deep bowls. Top with black beans and amaranth. Garnish with sliced or diced avocado and chopped cilantro. If you want some spice, add a little salsa or minced green chili. Sprinkle feta or queso blanco over the top and serve.

BLACK BEANS WITH AMARANTH AND EPAZOTE

Steps:

• 1. Place the beans and their soaking water in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. If necessary, add water to cover by two inches. Bring to a boil and skim off foam. Add the onion and half the garlic, and reduce the heat to low. Add salt, cover and simmer one hour. Add the remaining garlic, the epazote ( and more salt if desired ). Simmer for another 30 minutes. Add the cilantro, and simmer for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender and the broth aromatic. 2. While the beans are simmering, wash the amaranth leaves in two changes of water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, ( salt _optional ) and add the amaranth. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess water (it will be a beautiful plum color) and chop coarsely. 3. About five minutes before serving, taste the beans and adjust seasoning. Stir in the amaranth, simmer very gently for five to 10 minutes, and serve. Advance preparation: The beans will taste even better if you make them in advance, and they can be made up to three days ahead of serving. The blanched amaranth will keep for three days in the refrigerator.

BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Bring beans, onion, lard, epazote, and water to a boil in a 3-quart heavy pot. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until beans are tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Add salt and simmer, uncovered, until enough water is evaporated so that liquid reaches just below level of beans, about 30 minutes.
• If using beans for omelet filling: Measure out 1 1/2 cups beans with a slotted spoon and 1/2 cup liquid and mash together in a bowl with a potato masher until creamy. Reserve remaining beans and liquid for another use such as black bean soup.
• *We prefer Los Compadres brand, available at Latino markets and Rosa Imports (888-377-1032)