BEER INFUSED PINTO BEANS

Texas is the land of barbeque and Mexican food, both of which are usually served with some kind of beans. I prefer pinto beans with the barbeque and definitely with Mexican food, and I have developed a recipe that should suit the palate of young and old. My kids especially love these beans served with cornbread or with Fritos on top. Beans are a very healthy dish, full of protein. If you prefer vegetarian beans, just leave out the bacon.

PINTO BEANS

1 pound pinto beans, washed and picked
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped small
2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp chili powder, or more
2 tsp salt, or more
1 tsp cumin, or more
½ tsp dried red pepper flakes, or more
2 sprigs cilantro, optional
Several cans beef broth
1 can beer, room temperature
Several slices bacon, cut into pieces

Add all of the seasonings, the onion, pepper, garlic, and two cans beef broth, and two cans of water into a nice heavy pot. Bring to a boil and then add the beans. If liquid doesn't cover the beans by an inch, add more beef broth until the beans are covered. Return to the boil, then lower heat to a good simmer. Add the bacon. Keep the beans at a good simmer until they are done. This will take several hours usually. After about an hour, taste the liquid and correct the seasonings, adding more of anything that you think the beans need. You might want to do this several times throughout the cooking process. As the beans cook and liquid evaporates, add the beer or more beef broth to keep proper level of liquid. Serve with rice and cornbread. Or serve with corn chips on top and a bit of grated yellow cheese. Also these beans can be added to you favorite chili for a nice treat.

If you want more of a bean soup, keep the liquid level higher and AFTER THE BEANS ARE DONE add a can of stewed or diced tomatoes and serve with grated cheese on top and strips of fried tortilla. If you add tomatoes before your beans are cooked through, they will never get tender.

A tip - when cooking any type dried beans, bring your water to a boil before adding the washed beans. This will keep the thin husk type covering on the beans from detaching. Also it will keep your beans from getting broken and mushy.