What's to Eat?? Fail-Proof Black Beans

Chipotle style/Mexican style/Everyday style Black Beans

If you want to make black beans, you would just normally take a can of black beans, rinse, and cook it over the stove for a few minutes and your probably done, right? Is this the absolute quickest way? Sure. Is it filled with mouth-watering, spices-filled, extra veggie lovin', fresh black beans? NO WAY! Add just a few more minutes of your time and you can have fresh black beans for you and anyone else! You can even make a bunch in one cooking and freeze half for a later use! GENIUS. ((NOTE:: This recipe calls for an overnight step.))

What you will need::

• A bag of dry black beans (I use Goya)
• Olive oil- 1-2 tablespoons
• 1 onion-chopped
• 1 green pepper-chopped
• 4 garlic cloves-diced
• Taco seasoning-2 spoons
• 2 Bay leaves
• Salt-to taste

I come from a big family and also friends are always in and out.  So I usually use this 4lb bag of Goya dry black beans.  Also, you can always make it and then put it away in the freezer for up to 3-4 months and take it out and warm it up whenever you want.  So it's safe to say, the more you make, it will always be for the better.

Usually, the night before, you want to dump your black beans into a bowl big enough to hold it and immerse it in water and let it sit overnight.  *SIDE TIP* They say that if you boil black beans straight out of the bag, or can, you lose alot of the nutrients,  That is why I prefer to let it soak overnight.

The next day, thoroughly rinse you black beans, like shown below.

You can now start cutting up your yummy and healthy veggies that add a great taste to your black beans.  I like to use 4 cloves of garlic-diced, and 1 onion and green pepper chopped up.

**Here's my rule of thumb about olive oil and trying to be healthy.** You want to use just enough for your food but not any bit more.  In this case, you want enough oil for you onions and garlic to cook.  After you add your oil and let it heat up, add your garlics.  After a minute or so, add your onions. Notice how in the picture below, you can see the onion still have its pink color.

Now notice how in the picture below, the onion's color is almost translucent. THIS is what you want.  For all the flavor to be emerged.  Now add your bell peppers and wait until they've become translucent. 

Add 2 spoonfuls of a  taco seasoning mix and 2 bay leaves for an added taste.  If you want more of a Chipotle-style black bean, then just add 2 spoons.  If you want more of the spices, add 3.  Chipotle doesn't have alot of the spice flavoring in their black beans.

Now add your black beans and enough water to cover  the black beans with an extra inch or two of water. 

Keep it on low and it will take about 4 hours before it is ready. (This method makes for a better taste and most nutritious.)

If you keep it on medium-high, it will take about 2-3 hours.(This method is for if you are in  more of a hurry.)

Try the black beans every 30 minutes for good texture as you would like.  I like it soft but not mushy.  If you want a thicker-mushy paste, use a masher or immersion bender to mash it up.

I paired the black beans this time with an enchilada, rice, and some tortilla chips! What will you use yours with??

Thanks for checking! This simple recipe will leave your friends and family drooling back for more!

Check back tomorrow for some sorority-loving crafts and my Friday Favorites!

ps, don't forget to =)