Drunken Beans Cooks Illustrated Recipe 435

MEXICAN DRUNKEN BEANS

Steps:

• Put mayocoba beans into a large container with enough cool water to cover by several inches. Let beans soak 8 hours to overnight.
• Drain mayocoba beans and rinse thoroughly; put into a large stockpot. Pour enough water into the pot to cover beans by a few inches; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and place a cover on the pot, and cook at a simmer until beans are soft in the center, about 90 minutes.
• While the beans simmer, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes; add tomatoes and serrano pepper and simmer until the tomatoes have softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the liquid begins to thicken, about 10 minutes more. Remove from heat.
• Cook and stir bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until very crispy, about 10 minutes; remove bacon from skillet with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towel.
• Cook ham cubes in the bacon fat in the skillet until browned, about 5 minutes; remove with slotted spoon to the plate with the bacon to drain.
• Once the beans have cooked, stir the tomato mixture, bacon, ham, beer, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and chicken bouillon granules into the beans; season with sea salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the beans are completely softened, about 30 minutes.

DRUNKEN REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• 1. Place bacon in large skillet; heat 1 minute over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 1 minute more. Add drained tomatoes, beans and beer; stir until combined.
• 2. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook 10 minutes or to desired thickness, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

DRUNKEN BEANS

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and discard. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, the broth or water and the beer. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Stir in the jalapeno slices. Cook until beans are tender, about 30 minutes, adding water if necessary to keep beans covered. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cilantro and serve immediately.

DRUNKEN BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium- high heat.
• Add the onion, 1/2 teaspoon or so of the pepper, and a little salt.
• Saute about 3 minutes.
• Turn heat to high and add 1/4 cup vodka and the vinegar.
• Reduce to a glaze and add more vodka, salt and pepper.
• Repeat with the final 1/4 cup of vodka.
• When the liquid has evaporated, add the green beans and cover with water.
• Add more salt and pepper and let boil over high heat until all the cooking liquid has evaporated and forms a glaze on the vegetables.
• This should take about 35 to 40 minutes.

DRUNKEN BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• In a 6-to 7-quart ovenproof kettle cook bacon, onion, oregano, and garlic over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until onion is browned lightly. Add beans, water, jalapeño, and beer and bring to a boil. Bake mixture, covered, in middle of oven until beans are soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (Add additional water if beans begin to dry out. Mixture should be soupy with beans very soft but not falling apart.)
• Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and bake beans 10 minutes more. Check seasoning, adding remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt if necessary. (Beans may be made 2 days ahead, cooled, uncovered, and chilled, covered.)

COOKED DRIED BEANS - COOKS ILLUSTRATED

Steps:

• Bring peas or bean, bay leaf, garlic, and water to simmer in large saucepan. Simmer, partially covered, until beans are just tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove from heat, stir in salt, cover, and let beans stand until completely tender, about 15 minutes.
• Drain, reserve cooking liquid, and discard bay leaf and garlic.