Pot of beans recipe needed.

[Monkeytoes]

I was going to make a pot of beans tomorrow. I need some good semi easy recipes if anyone has a good one. :)

[jessiehannan]

what do you want to put in with the beans? I am making pinto beans with sausage for tomorrow. I simmered the beans until tender, added some bean seasoning, and tossed them in the fridge. Tomorrow I will saute slices of Elgin Hot sausage (BBQ place type sausage) with onions and garlic, then stir it into the beans, reheat and serve over rice.

What kind of beans do you have BTW?

[Monkeytoes]

Pinto beans. I use either ham or bacon. Not a big meat fan.

[jessiehannan]

You could do it the same way that I do my beans with sauasgae, using bacon instead.

Or you could throw in some sauteed carrots, celery, onions, garlic in the pot when you start cooking the beans, and some diced raw potatoes.
I always cook my bacon/sausage/etc before putting it in the pot, it has a better texture.

[Monkeytoes]

So you cook your beans the night before JH? What is bean seasoning?

[jessiehannan]

Yes, I cook my beans the day before. I like the way they taste after the flavors have had time to blend overnight. The bean seasoning I use has sugar, chili powder, garlic, salt and black pepper. I don't love it, but I still have a lot of the jar left, and don't want to throw it away.
You could just use lots of onion and garlic, and use cumin to season, with pepper and salt.

[Monkeytoes]

Oh good. I have garlic, onions and green peppers on hand.

[Sadalsuud]

I cook beans in a crock pot((eta: I meant pressure cooker, not crock pot!)). They go from sorted and rinsed to done in 90 minutes. No soaking needed.

For just basic pinto beans, I'll add a tsp of bacon grease before I cook, then add a bit of fried bacon after cooking and just before serving. I don't add anything else unless I'm making something else like a chili type dish.

[jessiehannan]

Beens are really flexible, I am just picky. Really really picky when it comes to beans!
Make a big batch and you can turn half of them into refried beans for burritos another night. :)

[jessiehannan]

I cook beans in a crock pot. They go from sorted and rinsed to done in 90 minutes. No soaking needed.

For just basic pinto beans, I'll add a tsp of bacon grease before I cook, then add a bit of fried bacon after cooking and just before serving. I don't add anything else unless I'm making something else like a chili type dish.

I am beginning to wonder if I am the only one here who HATES crockpots!

[MiMi_of_4]

I rinse and sort my beans and then put them in a pot with water to cover about 4 inches above. Bring to a boil, boil 2 minutes, turn off heat, cover and let sit overnight.

Rinse beans, add an inch of water above, add chunks of fatty ham, bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cover. Usually takes about an hour or so on simmer to cook.

Smash a bean and taste...we don't like them mushy, but cook longer if the bean isn't done. Remove ham, trim fat and put back in the pot.

Season with a little Lawry's seasoned salt and some freshly ground pepper. Serve with cornbread.

[Sadalsuud]

Erm, I meant, pressure cooker. I didn't mean crock pot. I don't use my crock pot very often.

[BoobySnacks]

I love my crock pot! I make beans tons of different ways and do not even had a recipe for them. I usually just throw a ham hawk into the crock pot with a little veggie stock and the beans to get started. Then I saute some celery, carrots, onions and garlic and add it to my beans. I use whatever seasoning I feel like that day, usually basics. Leave it in the crock pot all day. Make some beer bread or corn bread. It always turns out nice. I am a chili fan too :)

[KatieLou]

I am beginning to wonder if I am the only one here who HATES crockpots!


Yes, you are. lol.

[Monkeytoes]

Oh cornbread sounds yummy. Anyone got a recipe for that?

[MiMi_of_4]

::ducks head:: Jiffy Corn Bread Mix

[jessiehannan]

Yes, you are. lol.
I have never liked cooking in them. Maybe because I like to hover over what I cook.
Maybe because they don't come in cast iron.
I will use an electric skillet though. :)

[jessiehannan]

Corn bread: Pioneer Baking mix + milk + eggs + corn meal. I have no clue of measurements, I know itis right when it has the right consistency. My DH's grandma makes it this way, even when she ran her restraunt.
I bake mine in a preheated well oiled cast iron skillet.

[Sadalsuud]

Here is my sweet cornbread recipe:
Blend together:
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c oil

Add:
2 beaten eggs

Sift together and add:
1 1/2 c cornmeal
1 1/2 c flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt

Add
1 cup milk

Pour into greased and floured pan (pie pan works well)

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. eta: Or until a stick of spaghetti comes out as clean as you want it.

[Monkeytoes]

You people are awesome! :)

[Sadalsuud]

I have never liked cooking in them. Maybe because I like to hover over what I cook.
Maybe because they don't come in cast iron.
I will use an electric skillet though. :)

http://www.target.com/Hamilton-Beach-1-5-qt-Party-Crock/dp/B000R8BT1O

I love cast iron (even if it aggravates my DeQuervain's), I may have to get me one, even if it isn't very big!

[MiMi_of_4]

That recipe looks really good, sadalsuud! I may have to try it out :)

[Sadalsuud]

Oh, it is! It is sweet, and every time I make it, before I make the eggs, my dds and I taste test it *a lot* just to make sure it comes out ok, lol :D

It stays pretty moist since it is a pretty heavy bread. It takes a bit of over baking before it dries out, but I've found that it also depends on the depth of your baking pans.

Oh, if you want to make no-cut cornbread, just bake them for 10-15 minutes in a muffin pan. Just check them with a stick of spaghetti after 10 minutes to make sure they don't overcook and dry out.