Pinto beans take approximately two hours to cook from scratch.
Pinto beans are a popular legume in many areas of the southern United States and Mexico. They are inexpensive and hold flavor well, so seasoning them is important, especially when cooking them from scratch. The beans can be served as a side dish with meat, or as a main dish with cornbread or tortillas on the side.
Meat
A small amount of meat, such as ham, bacon or turkey, is often used when cooking pinto beans from scratch. The meat adds smokiness and depth of flavor that is difficult to establish without it. The meat is added to the water and spices at the beginning of the cooking process, and can either be shredded and added to the recipe or removed later. For a vegetarian option, liquid smoke can be added to provide a similar smoky flavor.
Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic provide flavor to many different foods, and can be used as a seasoning for pinto beans as well. Fresh onion and garlic can be chopped up and added to the pot at the beginning of the cooking process to impart flavor to the beans. If you do not have fresh onion or garlic on hand, the spice powders can be used as a substitute.
Spices
There are a variety of spices used in the seasoning of pinto beans, which mainly depends on personal preference. Common seasonings include cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Salt is needed for homemade beans but should not be added until the end of the cooking process. Cayenne pepper can be very spicy so use caution when adding this spice to a recipe. Make sure to taste often to ensure that your spice blend is the way that you want it.
Other Variations
Add fresh herbs, such as cilantro or oregano, to the beans after they have finished cooking to brighten the flavors. Another idea is to use chicken broth instead of water when boiling the beans. Jalapeno or serrano peppers can be added along with the onions and garlic to provide additional heat and flavor. Leave out the chicken broth and meat to make the beans vegan or vegetarian.
Tags: cooking process, from scratch, beginning cooking, beginning cooking process, chicken broth, dish with
