Teach me to make pinto beans

[admiralsnackbar]

Hatch diced tomato and green chile >>>>>>> Rotel

After 4 hours of simmering, any canned chilies = nothing. If you want heat, add dried chipotles or cayenne. If you want vegetal pepper flavor, add diced poblanos (3-5 -- generally, the smaller the pepper, the more capsi ... that's all for Ignignogt ) 3 hours into the simmer.

Dried peppers (cascabels, pasitas, etc) will add more flavor, but will make your beans taste like straight-up red chile without adding much heat.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

"mild rotel"

I thought rotel was mild in general.

[Winehole23]

add salt to taste right at end.

I was always told the beans will be tougher if you add the salt too early.

True or false?

[Nathan Explosion]

I just finished making a pot using this recipe. Damn good.

-Presoak beans overnight in refrigerator.
-Dump out water and fill pot with new water.
-Add beans, garlic and pork fat (I used bacon) and simmer for 1 hour.
-Add onions, tomatoes, 2 whole serranos or more (sliced if you like e) and sausage (got the idea from a restaurant).
(I actually cooked the onion and sausage together on this one, then dumped into the pot. Gave it a bit more flavor.)
-Boil for 1 1/2 to 2 hours more.
-Add lots of cilantro with about 15 minutes left to cook.
-Add salt to taste.

Everything was fresh, no powder needed. The way they came out, they don't have any e to the first taste, but as you eat a bowl or two, you'll notice that your nose is running and you want something to drink. The beans won't burn your taste buds with e, but they'll let you know they're there.

The first time I made these, I sliced 4 serranos and threw them in the pot. The beans were good, but a little much for my taste. I do't burn easily, but at the same time, you won't find me eating habaneros and what not.

[Nathan Explosion]

Just finished making a batch of charro beans. My best to date. Is there anything better than a good pot of beans when your drunk?

[lil'mo]

you eat a whole pot of beans when you're drunk?

[Nathan Explosion]

you eat a whole pot of beans when you're drunk?

No way in I'd polish off a whole pot. But I was talking about making a fresh pot, and I love eating charro beans when I'm drunk.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I was always told the beans will be tougher if you add the salt too early.

True or false?

I don't know if it affects toughness, but I usually add salt at the end. I was told adding salt too early makes the beans turn out light in color.

[admiralsnackbar]

I was always told the beans will be tougher if you add the salt too early.

True or false?

I'd always heard this, too, but it turns out to be horse-feathers, per Cook's Illustrated.

http://www.chow.com/food-news/54972/...arder-to-cook/

[CosmicCowboy]

I'd always heard this, too, but it turns out to be horse-feathers, per Cook's Illustrated.

http://www.chow.com/food-news/54972/...arder-to-cook/

I just said to add salt at the end because that is your final flavor adjustment...let all the other flavors and seasonings meld and then carefully adjust the salt at the end...that's a pretty basic cooking concept no matter what you are cooking...