10676 Black Beans with Mexican Beer 1 hr 15 mins, plus overnight soaking 25 mins 8 servings (12 for Burrito Bar) Fri Sep 15 12:18:00 -0700 2006 Wed Feb 03 14:57:08 -0800 2010 CHOW http://www.chow.com/recipes/10676 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:57:08 GMT A spicy new technique A spicy new technique adds lots of flavor. Making a blended seasoning paste to add to the beans is a great way to punch up the flavor.

What to buy: We liked this recipe made with Dos Equis beer, but any lager will work. Just don’t use really dark beer.

Game plan: Be sure to soak the beans the night before you plan on making the dish; also note that there are two steps to cooking the beans: First they are simmered until tender, then they’re cooked with the spice paste to add flavor.

This recipe was featured as part of our Build Your Own Burrito Bar story.

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  • Pour dried beans onto a rimmed baking sheet and quickly pick through them, removing and discarding any broken beans or stones. Place beans in a large nonreactive bowl and cover them with at least 3 inches of cold water. Allow to soak overnight or at least 8 hours.
  • After beans have soaked, drain in a colander. Place in a large saucepan and cover with at least 2 inches of cold water.
  • Heat oven to 400°F. Peel the onion and halve it lengthwise. Leave one half whole; coarsely chop the other half and set it aside for the seasoning paste.
  • Remove stems from chiles and slit them open to dump out the seeds. Place chiles on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they are crisp and fragrant. Place them in a small bowl and cover with very hot water; allow to soak for at least 15 minutes, or until they are soft and pliable.
  • Place the onion half, celery, carrot, garlic cloves, and bay leaves into the pot containing the beans. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and gently simmer the beans until they are almost completely tender but still a little starchy in the center, about 30 minutes. (Beans should not be completely done, as they will cook for another 20 minutes with the spice blend and beer.) Season the beans well with salt and remove the pot from heat.
  • Heat a small sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add cumin and coriander seed, and lightly toast them until fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Remove ancho chiles from the soaking water, and coarsely chop them. Combine chiles, reserved chopped onion, serrano pepper, tomato, oregano, 1/4 cup of the beer, salt, and toasted cumin and coriander seed in a blender, and process until smooth.
  • Strain the beans, and discard the onion half, celery, carrot, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Place about 1 cup of cooked beans in a small mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to coarsely crush them.
  • Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. When it is smoking hot, add puréed mixture and fry it for 3 minutes or until fragrant, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Mix in crushed and whole beans and the rest of the beer.
  • Simmer beans uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt.
    • ]]>     http://www.chow.com/assets/2006/09/rcp_blackbeans_290x210.jpg Regan Burns 51 Side Dish 101 2 cups dried black beans

    ]]>     54 1 medium white onion

    ]]>     277 2 dried ancho chiles

    ]]>     121 1 small celery stalk, halved

    ]]>     119 1 small carrot, peeled and halved

    ]]>     74 2 garlic cloves, peeled

    ]]>     77 2 bay leaves

    ]]>     283 1 tablespoon whole dried cumin seed

    ]]>     282 1 teaspoon whole dried coriander seed

    ]]>     58 1 serrano pepper, coarsely chopped

    ]]>     109 1 medium ripe tomato, coarsely chopped

    ]]>     199 2 teaspoons dried oregano

    ]]>     1 (12-ounce) bottle of Mexican beer, such as Dos Equis

    ]]>     301 1 teaspoon salt

    ]]>     1/4 cup canola oil

    ]]>     153 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

    ]]>     44 Juice of 1 lime

    ]]>     121 beans 184 vegetables 1604 vegatarian 332 vegan 392 side dish 833 bbq 1537 burrito bar 495 starch 1054 barbecue 2393 regan burns 5882 cinco de mayo 9889 memorial day 9888 labor day 7667 july 4th 512 mexican