Smoky Peruvian Peruano Beans Recipes

THE BEST PERUVIAN BEANS RECIPE

Steps:

• Place soaked beans in a large pot and add 5 cups vegetable broth to beans and heat to a boil. When the liquid begins boiling, cover with a lid, reduce heat and cook for one hour.
• When the beans are just about ready, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and garlic sauté until softened, stirring frequently so they don't burn or get too brown, about 5-8 minutes. Add aji amarillo paste then cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Add the mixture from the skillet to the beans. Taste, add salt and pepper as needed. Let the beans cook with the added ingredients for about 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• While the beans are finishing up cooking, combine the onions, chile, cilantro and lime juice in small bowl and mix together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• When the beans are ready, serve them up with the onions on top and more cilantro and a lime wedge if desired.

DRUNKEN PERUANO BEANS WITH CILANTRO AND BACON

Steps:

• Rinse the beans thoroughly and bring to a boil along with the salt pork in generously salted water.
• Simmer until done.
• Drain, reserving 1 cup of the water and remove salt pork.
• In the meantime, saute the bacon until done but not crispy.
• Drain and set aside.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings and saute the onion and chilies until soft.
• Add the garlic and saute until the raw garlic smell is gone.
• Add the beans to the onion mixture with the reserved bacon.
• Add some of the reserved bean cooking liquid to get the desired texture (just loose but not soupy).
• Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer 5 to 10 minutes.
• Just before serving, add the tequila and simmer 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the cilantro, stir and serve.

PERUVIAN MASHED BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse beans in cold water. Place in a bowl with water to cover; soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Transfer soaked beans to a large pot; fill with 3 quarts water. Add onion and garlic. Cover and cook over low heat until boiling, about 30 minutes. Add bouillon and season with salt. Cook, adding more water as needed, until beans are tender, 30 to 40 minutes more.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add a few scoops of cooked beans, 1 clove of cooked garlic, and about 1/2 of the water from the pot. Bring to a simmer and mash. Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• If using dried beans, rinse and drain 1 lb. dried black beans in a colander or fine-mesh sieve; transfer to a large bowl. Pour in water to cover by 2" and let soak in refrigerator at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Heat 5 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a small pot over medium-high. Cook ¼ large white onion, thinly sliced, 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and ½ medium jalapeño, thinly sliced, stirring often, until beginning to take on some color, 6-8 minutes. Add 3 bay leaves, 1½ pasilla chiles, halved, seeds removed, 1 guajillo chile, halved, seeds removed, 1 Tbsp. ground cumin, 2 tsp. dried oregano, 1½ tsp. dried thyme, and 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• If using dried beans, add beans and their soaking liquid to pot and pour in more water so beans are covered by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, adding more water as needed to keep beans submerged, until beans are tender, 45-55 minutes.
• If using canned beans, add three (15.5-oz.) cans black beans (do not rinse) to pot and pour in more water so beans are covered by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, adding more water as needed to keep beans submerged, until flavors have come together, 15-20 minutes.
• Drain beans in a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl; remove bay leaves and discard. Working in 2 batches if needed, purée bean mixture and ¾ cup bean broth in a blender, adding more bean broth if needed, until thick and hummus-like in consistency. Taste and season with salt. Discard any remaining bean broth. Do ahead: Beans can be cooked 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat over low, stirring often.