Frioles de Olla (Pot Beans)

July 7, 2010

I add recipes here that I don’t want to forget. This one comes from Diana Kennedy, The Art of Mexican Cooking (see the above Good Books link to Amazon).

Fresh Ingredients
1/4 white onion, roughly sliced

PantryFare
1/2 pound dry beans – pinto, pink or black turtle

Spices and Oils
1 heaping T lard
sea salt to taste

Remove stones and dirt from the beans and rinse them twice in cold water. Drain. Place in a pot and cover with hot water plus about 3 inches above the beans. Add the onion and lard and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering until the beans are soft, then add salt and continue cooking until the beans are very soft and the broth is soupy. Cooking time will vary depending on the dryness of the beans but plan on an extended time frame and eat the next day.

Pointers from Diana Kennedy:
“Do not soak the beans first; the skin gives off an unpleasant flavor.”
“Do not add the salt until the skins are soft, or they will toughen.”
“Do not leave the beans at room temperature for any length of time; they ferment easily”
Always use the bean broth . . . throw out the book that tells you to discard it.”

Filed under: Recipes - Main Dish

Tags: beans, black beans, onion