pinto beans done wrong are not so good ... do them right and they are great

some just boil them to hell in plain water --- some boil them to hell with oil, salt, and black pepper --- although they are still edible

pinto beans are simple, easy, and nutritious ... and if done right delicious too

#1 do NOT just boil them to hell --- the skin peels off, breaks up, and causes a ring of crud around the inside of your pot .... and without the protective skin around the beans, the beans break up and makes the water thick and nasty

#2 simple seasonings are the best seasonings

#3 a little oil is good ... bacon is better ... ham hocks are best


2 cups of pinto beans -- sort through them properly making sure there are no pebbles or dirt clumps

2 quarts of water (don't worry the beans will soak up most of this)

4-5 tablespoons of salt (sounds like a lot - but you have to season the water to season the beans)

1-2 tablespoons of black pepper

.... this is where you have a choice --- 2 tablespoons of oil --- 4-5 strips of bacon (real bacon - not that turkey crap) --- or 1 ham hock (rendered pig fat is delicious in beans)

cook at medium/medium-low heat with the lid on for 2-3 hours .... if you cook it on high or medium high --- you will boil the beans to death and make them suck --- boil with the lid off and all the water will evaporate and you will scorch your beans .... you want a gentle simmer or low boil going on ... nothing more and nothing less


.... if you feel like you just have to get fancy schmancy with your beans --- add in a touch of chili powder or cumin --- maybe even some picante sauce -- or a few slices of onion

... but with beans ... simple is good

enjoy

 

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I concur....mostly. The only way to make great beans is to use a ham hock or a ham bone. I do add onions and a couple bay leaves, though. I think they give the beans good flavor.

 

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ham hock or fatback/salt pork

 

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This.

 

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some onion, black pepper, seasoning salt, and that is all


oh and some home made cornbread baked in a cast iron skillet

 

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Yeah good post. The only thing I might add is I love glass pot lids it is the best way to get beans to simmer not boil.

 

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Add an onion, two bay leaves, some ham cut up into cubes, the ham bone too.

 

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Add a couple whole cloves and yes hamhocks are best!

 

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you Sir

I cooked some red kidney beans like this Sunday, it only took an hour and a half though.

Perhaps this is because I'm only 60 miles from the sea and my water boiled under one full atmosphere.

 

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