Spiced Pinto Beans With Chorizo

Sweet Jezebel's Note:

These chorizo-studded beans are so hearty and deeply flavored that they can be a main course. Recipe by Chef Dionicio Jimenez, posted at Food & Wine website.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion , finely diced
• 1 garlic clove , minced
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon dried chipotle powder
• ½ lb fresh mexican chorizo sausage or ½ lb hot Italian sausage , casings removed
• one 15-ounce can pinto beans , with their liquid
• 2 tablespoons water
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, cumin and chipotle and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking up the meat into small lumps with a spoon, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and their liquid along with the water and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the beans into bowls and serve at once. Can be topped with store-bought fried pork rinds as a garnish.