Simple Boiled Great Northern Beans/Pinto Beans

Submitted by Montana Heart Song

"This recipe is simple because it has multiple uses, as a meat extender for ground beef, ground pork or ground venison or elk. Also simple for freezing whenever you need and the start of wonderful refried beans. It is a wonderful fiber to include in your recipes"

 

• Ready In: 4hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 20

ingredients

• 2 lbs great northern beans or 2 lbs pinto beans
• 4 quarts water
• 6 bay leaves
• 2 -3 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• dried cilantro
• dried hot pepper flakes

directions

1. Wash and soak beans overnight if possible.
2. Pick out any shriveled beans and throw away.
3. Use a large stockpot.
4. Put bay leaves,salt and soda with the beans.
5. Cover and cook on low heat until tender.
6. Stir once in a while and add water if necessary.
7. Don't worry about any bean hulls floating.
8. It depends on altitude how long to cook.
9. I cook them four hours, on low to be nice and tender.
10. Drain the beans. Save the water.
11. Remove the bay leaves.
12. Mash and add some of the water back into the beans. You do not want them dry, but moist.
13. Add dried cilantro flakes.
14. Note: Add hot pepper flakes if you want spicy.
15. Add to raw ground beef, ground pork before freezing or cooking or other raw ground meats.
16. Sack in two cup amounts in zip lock bags. This is a starter recipe in refried beans,just add lard, bacon grease and spices. This is a quick starter for vegetable soup.