CHILI BEAN

Chile Bean ~Method
Their's a large variety of legumes. Chile Beans, (Three recipes)has always been the most staple food in our family of six. I’ve learned to improvise to adapt to what I have on hand though out the years. At home we liked to cook pinto beans till they were mush with some bacon rind or if we could afford it a ham hock in it. If not fry bacon for its flavor was added. Later, when I got married hamburger and onions and spices were added in for a different flavors. Now the popular way is to skip the cooking of the beans altogether and just to add canned beans (strain and rinsed first) to the vegetable mixture at the last minute. Each as a different taste and you can go on from there. One, is to use left-over, by rolling chili beans and fresh vegetables in a soft taco, adding cheese and bake them in the oven.
Top with sour cream, cheese and/or fresh tomatoes, avocados, chopped onions, lettuce i.e. just before serving. Or, draining the beans and use a hand-blender (after cooled) to make them into mashed beans (retried) for other dishes such as a bean dip. And lets not forget the cheese and sour cream and olives for a salted taste.
Beans are very good for you, the best known for fiber and a balances of perfect protein amounts. Esau even sold his birthright for them. We ate them so much at home all of us had not a cavities nor doctor visits. Don’t sell the humble bean short of the cause of good health in the family. I believe they should be eaten regularly for good all around health. The following is a method not an exact recipe. I make them up differently all the time, and this is to more give you ideas for your style rather than an exact recipe. What do you like fresh tomatoes (garden) or stewed or tomato juice. Like most cooks I’ve used all including tomato sauces and paste that I personally don’t care for, or leave out altogether and add in broths.

Soak about 2 cups dried beans over night in salt water and then the drain water out and add new water. (Cuts back on the gases) The amount of beans depends on the size of your family.
Boil beans till tender but not falling apart or splitting. Set aside to cool and drain again. Or use about 4 can of rinsed beans adding in the last part of the cooking after sauteing the vegetables and your meat for one more hour.
Meat, chili con carni, or not: Choose one or skip-In a large pot brown 1 lb of ground hamburger, chopped steak or cubed stew meat or other, ground turkey or a ham hock, crumbled bacon, etc. Or, 1 cup tvp (first prepared by cooking low heat till soft first), veggie sausage, found at the HFS, 8- 16 ounce tempeh, or 8-16 ounce of drain and dried then crumbled tofu i.e. then add the following; Set aside and mix with beans.

Sauté the vegetables: 1 each, Chopped onions, garlic, zucchini, green sweet pepper, and/or hot peppers. Leave out what you don’t like.
2 Tbs of Worcestershire sauce or 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar (if you feel you need more flavor or lime juice.
The vinegar helps with gas, kills any e.coli in or on meats, and making the beans soft.
Quick method: Your choice… Add in a chili mix or block of chili found in the frozen section of the grocery store is a quick way to make chili beans. There is even can chili with no beans that may be used here or a can of chili seasoned tomato. Choose one style if you just want a quick method.
Choose from these spices: Taste after adding the spices add in more if needed. Add here if you don’t have the onion or garlic above. Start with about 4 tbs chili powder, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Maybe, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp all spice, 1 tbs cumin, 1 tbs honey, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp oregano, 2 tbs cilantro, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne, to taste. (Not all of these spices needs to be added but are here to give you an idea of what spice can be added. Spices are herbals that are to kill parasites in foods, meat or you. The cilantro removes metals also began to use this herb as a topping at least.

Tomato: This is what can scorch the beans so watch the pot carefully after adding this method of cooking. Choose one or two of the following; stewed tomatoes and now they come with added spices. If you add this one be sure to cut the spices and vegetables above. I like tomato juice or V8 juice will do. Tomato sauce, vegetable broth for a faster way and skip some of the above vegetables above. And if garden seasoning I love chopped fresh tomatoes. If I want to skip the above methods I put in a whole package of salsa the last part of the cooking.
Thicken with arrowroot powder in water then add to the tomato sauce the last part of the cooking. Sometimes this part is not necessary when you have cooked it down and added lots of vegetables. Also, You can thicken with rice also or make it a side dish with cornbread.
Add in beans and meat to the vegetable mixture.
Cover and cook blending flavors for about one hour, stirring occasionally so not to scorch. If you use a crock-pot it will be 6-9 hours on low or 1-2 hours on high.
Serve over rice, with a side of cornbread (makes this dish into a perfect protein), over mashed russet potatoes or baked.
Left-Overs: With style by using left-over Chile beans can be layered onto soft corn tacos with alternating chili, cheese, fresh vegetables (onion-tomatoes i.e.) and layer of the soft tacos, just like in making lasagna. YUM! Top with sour cream, avocados and sprinkle of cheese.
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