Frijoles De La Olla Clay Pot Beans Recipes

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA - "POT" BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse the beans in cold water and make sure there are no small stones or dirt clumps. Put them in a pot and cover with cold water. Add the onion and lard and bring to a boil, then lower the flame and let the beans simmer, covered, unti they are just soft and the skins are breaking open - about 2 hours for black beans and 1 1/2 for other varieties. (The timing depends of the age of the beans, how long they have been stored, and on the efficiency of the pot in which you are cooking them.) Add the salt and continue cooking over a low flame for another hour, until the beans are completely soft and the broth thickish and soupy.
• For black beans, add the epazote just before the end of the cooking time, as it tends to lose flavor if cooked for too long.

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA ("CLAY POT" BEANS)

Steps:

• Pick through the beans to remove any dirt or stones, then place in a large colander and rinse thoroughly. Transfer the beans to a large bowl, cover with 3 quarts of water, and soak overnight in the refrigerator.
• Drain the beans, reserving the liquid. Measure the liquid and add water, if needed, to make 2 1/2 quarts. Place the beans in a stockpot or large clay olla. Add the onion, garlic, oil or lard, and the reserved soaking liquid.
• Bring to a simmer, adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Keep the beans covered with 1 inch of water as they cook, adding boiling water if needed. Remove the onion and garlic and season to taste with salt.

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA

Steps:

• Rinse and sort the beans, discarding any broken pieces. Put in an olla or large, heavy pot, add 3 quarts water, and bring to a boil over high heat. This may take from 10 minutes in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven to 30 minutes in the traditional clay pot. When the water begins to bubble, immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer and add the onion, garlic, and lard. Cover partially and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 hours. If the beans are not covered by at least 1 inch of water, add hot water. Add the epazote or cilantro, stir in the salt, and continue to simmer until the beans are almost soft, maybe 2 hours more. The centers of these beans should not be al dente.
• Taste and add more salt if needed, then remove the pot from the heat and spoon out and discard the onion, garlic, and herb sprigs. The beans are now ready to eat, though they will have even better flavor if allowed to sit for at least a few hours-or better yet, overnight- before reheating and serving. (They should be transferred to a storage container with the broth, covered, and stored in the refrigerator, where they will keep for at least 4 days.)
• Serve the beans in small bowls with plenty of the soupy broth and a dollop of the salsa, if desired. These beans can also be used to prepare other bean dishes, such as Frijoles Chinos o Fritos, Frijoles Puercos, or Frijoles Charros.

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA TRADICIONAL (HOME COOKED BEANS)

Steps:

• Spread the beans on a baking sheet and check for stones, dirt clods or anything else you wouldn't care to eat. Scoop into a colander and rinse. If using a slow cooker, first pour the beans into a medium large pot, pour in 2 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat; then pour into the slow cooker. Add the lard (or oil or bacon drippings), onion and, if using, the epazote or avocado leaves. (Lightly toast the avocado leaves in a dry skillet).
• Cook the beans in the slow cooker for at least 6 hours for the beans to become tender, though you can leave them cooking for up to 10 hours. When the beans are tender, stir in 1 ½ tsp salt and simmer for a few minutes longer. Taste and season with additional salt if needed. Remove the epazote or avocado leaves, if using, and the brothy beans are ready.

FRIJOLES DE OLLA

Steps:

• Measure water and lard into a large pot. Bring to a boil and add beans. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Season with salt and continue cooking until tender, about 30 more minutes.

FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA

Steps:

• Add the beans, chiles, avocado leaf, bay leaves, garlic, dried mushrooms, salt and 8 cups water to an electric pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot), and set to cook for 40 minutes at high pressure.
• During the last few minutes of cooking, lightly char the jalapeños over the open high flame of a gas burner, or sear them on a comal or in a dry, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until blackened and beginning to soften, 3 to 5 minutes over a flame or about 10 minutes in a skillet. Use heatproof tongs to turn occasionally. Once cooked, set aside.
• Once the pressure cooker has completed cooking, carefully release the pressure to open the lid. Taste test at least 5 beans to make sure they are all tender and fully cooked. If any are not, set the machine to its "sauté" function and bring the liquid to a boil. Simmer until the beans are smooth and soft.
• Discard the avocado and bay leaves. If you'd like a more full-bodied broth, transfer the chiles, garlic and 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid to a blender or food processor, blend until completely smooth, and return to the pot of beans. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.
• Warm the tortillas over the open flame of a gas burner or on a comal or in a dry, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until soft. Divide the beans and rehydrated mushrooms among bowls, then top with cilantro, avocado and charred jalapeños. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the avocado slices and serve with the warmed tortillas.