Pinto beans are the most common bean in the USA and are often eaten
whole or refried which makes them a great filling for burritos. Eating
beans is a good source of fiber and protein and doesn't contain fat,
sodium, or cholesterol. A half of a cup of beans is about 120 calories.
They are filling and a great alternative to eating meat.
Dry beans
will keep indefinitely as long as you store them in a cool dry place.
The longer you keep them their nutritive value and flavor will decrease
over time. It takes a long time to cook beans, and you should soak the
beans first to shorten the cooking time.
NEED:
1 lb bag of pinto beans
6 cups chicken broth (water)
1 ham hock
1 onion
4 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
Beans
out of a bag need sorting through for rocks or other debris that could
come up. Basically, you look through the beans and pick out anything
that doesn't look like a bean. Then you wash them well. If you want them
to cook fast, pre-soak them first. I cook my beans in a Crockpot, so I
never use the pre-soak method.
Once sorted and cleaned I put in 6 cups of
water or chicken broth in the Crockpot.
Put in the beans then cut up
the onion and mince the garlic and add to the Crockpot.
Add in the ham
hock or whatever meat you season the beans with. I sometimes use smoked
turkey as a healthier alternative.
Season the beans with salt and
pepper.
I let the beans cook several hours on low inside the Crockpot;
about 4 to 6 hours since I like the meat to fall apart.
While the beans
are cooking, you can make some hot buttered cornbread to serve alongside
the beans.
The great thing about Crockpot's is you don't have to
constantly watch your food. You add the ingredients and go watch TV,
read or write a book. When the beans are ready grab a bowl full and
enjoy the warm cornbread.