Down South Pinto Beans Recipes

PERFECT PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Put the beans in a large bowl, cover with cold water and let soak overnight.
• Drain and rinse the beans, then put them in a large pot. Cover the beans with water and add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, bacon, garlic, bay leaves, onion, bell pepper and some salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the beans are tender, 2 to 3 1/2 hours.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse, drain and pick through beans for stones or debris. Soak overnight covered with 8 cups of water, or use the quick cook method below. Drain, rinse and return to the pot.
• Cover with 8 cups of fresh water. Add the salt pork, onion and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook uncovered for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until thickened and creamy. Do not allow to boil.
• Stir in the bacon fat or butter, taste and season as needed with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
• Serve as is, with raw or pickled onions and cornbread, corn muffins or cornmeal hoecakes on the side. Great served with fried potatoes and greens, and some folks enjoy these served over rice.

DOWN SOUTH PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Wash pinto beans thoroughly and place in a large stockpot. Add 4 quarts water, pork jowl, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook until beans are tender and tasty, 3 to 4 hours. Add water throughout cooking as needed; do not let the beans cook dry.

SOUTHERN STYLE PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Cover beans with water and soak overnight, or 6-8 hours.
• In the morning, drain and rinse the beans, discard soaking water, and put beans in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients, including chicken broth.
• Cover. Cook on low 10 hours, or on High 5 hours.
• Transfer 2 cups of the bean soup to a food processor or blender and puree. Return puree to the slow-cooker. Heat on High an additional 30 minutes. (This is an easy way to thicken the soup.).
• Serve with cornbread and fried potatoes.
• TO PRE-PREP: Combine 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 bay leaf, and store in a plastic storage bag until ready to cook. Having these dry ingredients packaged ahead of time will make seasoning the beans as easy as pouring the seasonings into the slow-cooker along with the beans and chicken broth.
• TO STORE: Bean soups keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to three months. The flavors are even better after standing. When reheating, thin with a little water if necessary.

SOUTHWESTERN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Heat 4 cups water and the beans to boiling in 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 2 hours.
• Drain beans. Mix beans, 1 cup water and the remaining ingredients except salt and tomato paste in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low heat setting 10 to 12 hours or until beans are tender.
• Stir in salt and tomato paste. Cover and cook on low heat setting 15 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. If bean mixture becomes too thick, stir in up to 1/4 cup hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.