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Beans

Our basic beans recipe
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: New Mexican
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 320 g pinto beans (dried)
  • 6 cups water (750mL)
  • 3.3 g table salt
  • 1 tsp MSG
  • 1 1/2 tsp cumin (crushed/ground)
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • chile peppers (dried and whole, to taste)

Equipment

  • Kitchen scale (capable of measuring tenths of grams)
  • Colander

Method
 

Quick soak
  1. Measure out the dry beans
  2. Add beans to pot, then cover with plenty of water
  3. Bring to a boil
  4. Hold at a rolling boil for two minutes
  5. Turn off heat, cover pot, and let the beans soak for one hour
  6. Pour off water and rinse beans in colander
Cook
  1. Return beans to pot and add the measured water
  2. Return to a boil and skim off any scum
  3. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir in seasonings, and chiles
  4. Return to a simmer if needed. Cover and cook for one hour.
  5. After the first hour, test beans. If not yet done, cook for 15 minutes more and check again. Repeat as needed, cooking and testing in 15 minute increments.
  6. Remove chile pods
  7. Serve immediately, or cool and retain for use in other recipes

Notes

A serving is 1/2 cup of cooked beans. One serving (with broth) will contain approximately 250mg of sodium, allowing this recipe to be used as a side or as part of another dish.