Ranch Style Beans

"Ranch Style Beans are a Texan staple and they’ve been satisfying people since 1872 with their take on classic chuck-wagon fare. It’s a distinctive flavor—the beans aren’t fiery but they do have a depth and brightness that can be very addictive."
 
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Ready In:
4hrs 10mins
Ingredients:
13
Serves:
4-6
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ingredients

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directions

  • Method:

  • Soak the beans covered in water—either overnight or the quick soak method in which you place the beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat and let sit for one hour.
  • Drain the soaked beans.
  • In a cast-iron skillet heated up to medium high, cook the anchos on each side for a couple of minutes (or until they start to bubble and pop), turn off the heat and fill the skillet with warm water. Let them sit until soft and rehydrated, which should happen after half an hour or so.
  • In the pot you’ll be cooking your beans, heat up a teaspoon of canola oil and cook the onions for ten minutes on medium. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Throw the cooked onions and garlic in a blender and add the tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, paprika, cumin, oregano, water and hydrated ancho chiles. Puree until smooth.
  • Add the pinto beans and beef broth to the pot and stir in the chile puree. On high, bring the pot to a boil and then cover; turn the heat down to low and simmer for two and a half hours, stirring occasionally. At this point, I check my beans for tenderness as depending on the freshness of the beans I find that the cooking time can be as short as two and a half hours and as long as four hours. When you're satisfied that the beans are done, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Feeds four to six.
  • Notes: If you can’t find dried ancho chiles, you can substitute either ancho chile powder or regular chili powder. I’d use 1/4 of a cup. These are not fiery beans, but if you want a bit more heat I'd throw in a bit of Cayenne. And I always add a pinch of baking soda to my soaking beans to help with digestion issues. You may do the same.

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Reviews

  1. Woops! I forgot the stars!!
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<P>I was born in Glendale, California but I currently reside in Athens, AL. The military brought me to Alabama in 1989 and I just never left! Although quite different from California, I have come to love the more laid back lifestyle the South has to offer. My husband, who is Puerto Rican, and I were married in May 2006. He is retired from the Army (24 years) and now works for TASC Inc. while I am a stay at home mom. this is a new lifestyle for me as I worked for 23 years before having a baby on Dec 20, 2008. She was born two months premature and while she was in the hospital I decided I wanted to be with her and so I stopped working. <BR><BR>My husband and I both love cooking (probably him moreso than I) in our spare time. We purchased a home in 2006, and I think the main reason we bought the home is because of the beautiful kitchen...which is where we spend most of our time. <BR><BR>We like to try new recipes and Recipezaar has made this easy for us. When we first met he moved to Alaska, and to bridge the distance we would cook (him in Alaska and me in Alabama) the exact same recipe from zaar while on the phone or web cam together. When we had more time we tried at least one new recipe a week. We are slowly but surely getting back to that tradition. Cooking together has become challenging with a 13 month old. One of us plays with her while the other cooking. <BR><BR>I also enjoy collecting cookbooks and now I am addicted to Food Network. I love Giada and Ina the most...My husband thinks Ina is too boring, but her dishes always sound so amazing. <BR><BR><BR><IMG src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/adoptedspring08.jpg mce_src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/adoptedspring08.jpg> <BR><IMG border=0 alt=Photobucket src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/IWasAdoptedfall08.jpg mce_src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/IWasAdoptedfall08.jpg></P>
 
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