Best Prepared Black Turtle Beans Recipes

SPICY BLACK BEAN SOUP FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté carrots, onions and garlic, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, until soft and fairly dry. Don't brown. Add sherry and cook until it is fully absorbed, a minute or two. Add jalapeños, chipotle chilies, adobo sauce and cumin. Cook, stirring, for a minute or so.
• Add beans, stock, oregano and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 ½ - 2 hours, until the beans are tender. If the broth gets too thick, add a little water from time to time. After one hour of cooking, add 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Finish the soup: Depending on how thin the broth is, you may choose to purée or mash some of the soup to create a thicker, creamier broth. I like to purée about 1/3 of the soup, right in the pot, using an immersion blender. A potato masher also works well.
• Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Add a teaspoon or two of red wine vinegar to brighten the flavors. For more heat, stir in more adobo sauce.
• Serve soup hot in deep bowls garnished with your favorite toppings.

PREPARED BLACK TURTLE BEANS

Steps:

• The night before: wash beans and remove any debris.
• Place in large mixing bowl and add water to cover plus 4 inches.
• To cook: pour off water from beans and place in 6-quart heavy kettle or dutch oven.
• Add enough water to cover, plus 2 inches.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat but keep boiling at steady rate.
• Boil beans for about 2 1/2 hours or until just tender.
• Stir occasionally.
• Add water as needed.
• (Ideally, at the end of the cooking time, there will be just enough water to cover the beans.) Remove from heat.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir well.
• Allow to cool.
• Scoop 2 cups of mixture into each freezer bag.
• Try to distribute an equal amount of liquid into each bag.
• Squeeze out excess air and seal.
• Freeze.
• To use: Remove bag from freezer and allow to thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours, OR thaw bag in microwave according to manufacturer's directions, OR run warm water over bag to release contents from bag, then place frozen bean mixture in saucepan and heat over low flame until hot.
• Each bag yields 4 servings.