Black Bean Relish Recipes

HOW TO COOK BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• First, pick through your black beans for debris (sometimes tiny rocks can sneak in). Place the beans in a fine mesh colander or sieve and rinse very well. Pour the beans into a large Dutch oven or saucepan (4 quarts or larger in capacity).
• Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, olive oil, salt, cumin, orange zest and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Pour in the water.
• Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Remove the lid and reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Give the beans a stir to make sure none are stuck to the bottom of the pot, and set a timer for 1 hour. Leave the pot uncovered and adjust the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer (you should see several small bubbles popping to the surface at any given moment).
• Once the timer goes off, test a couple of beans by using a fork to press them against the side of the pot. If they're easy to press through, taste a few (carefully! they're hot!) to see if they're sufficiently plump, tender and delicious.
• Otherwise, continue cooking, testing in 15 to 30 minute intervals as needed, until they're done. If you're running low on liquid, add water in 1-cup increments so the beans are covered at all time. (As mentioned in the post, if your beans are old, they can take several hours to cook and require a lot more water, and some very old beans may never cook through.)
• Once the beans are very tender and tasty, you can increase the heat a little to reduce the cooking liquid into a more gravy-like consistency, about 5 to 15 minutes (it will continue to thicken up as the beans cool).
• Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully remove the orange zest and both bay leaves. Use a fork to press the garlic against the side of the bowl to break it up. Add the cilantro, if using, and lime juice. Stir to combine. Season to taste with additional salt, if needed. Use as desired.
• Allow leftover beans to cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze leftover beans for several months.***

BLACK BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients.
• Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN RELISH

Steps:

• Toss all the ingredients in bowl.
• Add lime juice.
• Add spices to taste.
• Chill and serve!

BLACK BEAN, CORN, AND TOMATO RELISH

Steps:

• 1. Carefully peel back the corn husks and remove the "silk" from inside. Soak the corn in a large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Drain the corn and pat dry.
• 2. Rub the butter over the corn kernels and fold the corn husks back into place around the cob.
• 3. Grill over hot coals or under a preheated broiler for 15 to 20 minutes, turning about every 5 minutes.
• 4. Allow to cool, peel the husks and cut the corn off the cobs. Combine with the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss to combine.
• 5. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

CORN & BLACK BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• 1. Mix corn, black beans, peppers, onion and pimientos in a medium bowl with lid.
• 2. Place vinegar, sugar, garlic, celery seed, salt and mustard seed in a small saucepan. Heat on medium low heat stirring occasionally. Bring to a slow boil and boil 2 minutes. Pour over corn mixture.
• 3. Mix well, cover and refrigerate 3 or 4 hours. Should keep for @ a week if refrigerated well.
• 4. Can be served as a dip with tortilla chips or as an embelishment to pinto beans, black-eyed peas, etc.

SPICY CORN AND BLACK BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine corn, beans and peppers. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl; pour over corn mixture and toss to coat. Chill.

FOUR-BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• Whisk the red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
• Add the scallions, red onion, Peppadew peppers, honey, white beans, chickpeas, pinto beans and black beans and toss to coat. Let sit in the refrigerator at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Mix thoroughly before serving.
• Photograph by Kat Teutsch

4-BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour for the flavors to blend. Mix thoroughly before service.

BLACK BEAN RELISH

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large non-reactive bowl.
• Relish can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated.
• Stir occasionally and remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving.