Red Beans
Why I Love This Recipe
I LUUUURVE beans. They're so easy to make so many different ways, and so GOOD for you! Call it peasant food- whatev. I love them. TAKE THE TIME to get dried beans and soak them (they're cheaper, besides!). The twist I added was the MOLASSES, at the suggestion of my bro-in-law, who's also quite the southern-leaning, peasant food afficionado himself.
Ingredients You'll Need
3c dried Dark Red Kidney Beans, soaked overnight in 8c water, drained and picked over.
1/2-1lb Fatback, Salt Pork or Bacon, diced
1lg sweet Onion, chopped
3-6cloves Garlic, minced or crushed
Salt & Pepper
1can crushed Tomatoes
1tblsp Chili-Garlic paste (or A-Ha chili paste, or Indian chili paste- whatever you happen to like/have in fridge)
1tsp Cayenne
2tblsps Black Molasses
splash of Cider Vinegar
6c +/- Water
cooked Rice to serve
Directions
In Dutch oven, cook pork til done but not crisp.
Add onion, garlic; saute w/meat & fat til transluscent and aromatic.
Salt & pepper to taste.
Add tomatoes and chili paste, cayenne, molasses and splash of cider to taste.
Add beans and water.
Bring to a boil; cook, stirring frequently, 20-30min.
Reduce heat to very low; simmer, covered, 2-4hrs, stirring frequently, adding water as necessary.
As you simmer, you can mash beans w/back of spoon as the become more tender if you prefer. I mash mine some, but still like a little chunk to them.
Serve over rice, w/some Hot Sauce on the side!
