Basque Style Beans Recipes

BASIC BASQUE BEANS

Steps:

• Wash and pick over beans to discard any stone or other debris. After preliminary preparation, add fresh cold water (hot water toughens them) to about 2 inches above beans.
• Add soup bones or ham hocks. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam that forms. After beans have simmered covered for about 45 minutes, and are beginning to soften, add the rest of the ingredients. (If onion or salt is added in the beginning, the beans may toughen).
• Continue cooking for about 45 minutes, or until beans are very tender. Adjust seasoning to taste.

BASQUE-STYLE BEANS RECIPE

Steps:

• Sort and wash the beans, then place them in a small, heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, loosely covered, until the beans are tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir the beans occasionally and check the water level, adding additional water as needed to keep the beans moist as they cook.
• While the beans are cooking, cook the salt pork in a frying pan until the fat is rendered and the pork is cooked, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove and reserve the salt pork, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan and cook over gentle heat until the onion is translucent, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes.
• When the beans are tender, stir in the cooked salt pork, onions, garlic, parsley, tomato sauce, thyme and red pepper flakes. Taste and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and one-half teaspoon pepper, or to taste. Bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook a few minutes to marry the flavors. This makes about 1 1/2 quarts beans, which will keep, covered and refrigerated, up to 1 week. The flavors will improve with time.

BASQUE STRING / GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Cook bacon until crisp; remove from skillet. Add onion and garlic to o1 tablespoon bacon drippings. Cook until tender on low heat.
• In a saucepan, combined tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and bacon; bring to a boil. Add drained string beans and simmer for about 15 minutes. Season to taste.
• If using fresh or frozen beans, cook until tender.

THE BEST BASQUE BEANS

Steps:

• Combine beans and water in large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Meanwhile, cook chorizo over medium heat in skillet until brown, breaking up as little as possible. Drain and set aside. When beans are finished soaking, drain and return to pot. Add beef broth, pork, onions, garlic, bay leaf and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Add chorizo, salt and pepper and simmer, uncovered, until beans are very tender and broth thickens slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.

BASQUE BEANS (INCLUDING CROCK POT VERSION)

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight.
• Cover beans with cold water and cook until nearly tender (about 1 ½ hours, or 30 minutes in a pressure cooker).
• Drain.
• (this can be done a day ahead) In large casserole, heat oil and cook onion until soft; stir in garlic, then tomatoes, parsley, beans, red pepper flakes, oregano and 1 cup water.
• Simmer, covered, over medium-low heat, or uncovered in 340°F oven for 2-3 hours, until beans are tender and most of liquid is absorbed.
• Stir in green pepper and cook, uncovered, 20 minutes longer.
• Season to taste.
• For crock pot: Prepare beans up to step 2.
• Add all remaining ingredients, including beans, to your crock pot.
• Cook on low for 10-12 hours.

BASQUE BEANS RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• In an 8 quart heavy pot, put beans and at least twice as much water. Cover and bring to boil. Turn off heat and let sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and return to the pot. Add remaining ingredients except for the chorizo, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and simmer for 1 hour. Add chorizo and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Beans should be very tender and the liquid will thicken a bit. Taste to see if it needs salt and pepper.

WHITE BEANS A LA BASQUE

Steps:

• Place white beans in large pot full of cold water. Bring to a boil; drain.
• Cover beans again with cold water and bring to a boil. Add the bacon and sausage and simmer very slowly over low heat for one hour.
• Heat the olive oil in a separate pan and add the onion. Cook 2-3 minutes and then add the garlic. Mix together and remove to a flameproof casserole. Add the white beans drained, the bacon, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup water. Cook very slowly until the beans are done, as long as two hours, depending on the beans.