FOOD NEWS
Elevate The Flavor Of Canned Black Beans 3 Different Ways
BY Claudia Alarcón
Onion & Herbs
To start, fry a finely chopped onion in some oil, stirring frequently. A neutral vegetable oil will keep your dish meat-free, but lard or bacon drippings will do, too.
Once the onion bits turn translucent and tender, add your beans without draining, and simmer slowly to heat them through. At this point, you can add any herbs or spices you like.
Various Chiles
Chiles can quickly add some heat to canned black beans. For a fresh, green flavor, fry some chopped serranos or jalapeños alongside the onion before adding the beans.
For a warmer, earthy flavor, remove the seeds and stems of dried chipotles, let them sit in a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes to soften, chop them up, and add to the beans.
However, canned chipotles can go in straight from the can. For a tangy spiciness, chop some pickled jalapeños up and add them while heating up the beans, or serve them as toppings.
A Meaty Taste
For a meaty flavor, you can use some chopped onion cooked in bacon fat or chorizo oil, or fry a few slices of bacon or chorizo and add the canned beans to the pan.
To achieve a smoky, rich, meaty taste, cook ham hocks until they are very tender, shred the meat off the bones, and add it to the beans alongside some of the cooking liquid.