Chipotle Smashed Black Beans
Recipe: #39616
October 03, 2022
Categories: Side Dishes, Beans, Black Beans, Mexican, One-Pot Meal Cinco de Mayo, Spices, Herbs, more
"With the honey and chipotle chiles stirred into the beans, this is delicious already, but with the addition of little crispy shallots, queso fresco, and cilantro on top, it's true comfort food, Mexican style, making for a delicious side. From the Fandango Cookbook. Note the overnight soaking of the beans is not included in the overall prep. time."
Original is 10-12 servings
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (139.8 g)
- Calories 495.2
- Total Fat - 21.6 g
- Saturated Fat - 6.3 g
- Cholesterol - 15.7 mg
- Sodium - 897 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 62.1 g
- Dietary Fiber - 9.1 g
- Sugars - 9.8 g
- Protein - 14.9 g
- Calcium - 170.1 mg
- Iron - 3.3 mg
- Vitamin C - 5.6 mg
- Thiamin - 0.5 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
After soaking the black beans overnight, drain and place them in a large pot with the garlic, thyme, and oregano. Cover with water and bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the beans are very tender, about 3 hours. Add water is needed to keep the beans submerged throughout cooking. Remove the garlic, thyme, and oregano sprigs. Drain the beans, reserving 2/3 cup of the cooking liquid.
Step 2
Place the lard or butter in a large saute pan and heat until shimmering (if using butter, be careful not to burn it). Carefully transfer the beans and their reserved liquid to the pan. With a potato masher or a large fork, smash the beans to the degree you desire. Stir in the honey, chipotles, and 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt. The beans can be prepared to this point 2 or 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Reheat over medium-low heat, adding water if necessary to loosen the beans.
Step 3
Place the shallots in a 9-inch saute pan. Cover with oil and place over medium-high heat. Watch carefully and stir constantly once the oil heats up. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the shallots until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them to drain on a paper towel. Season the shallots with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Place the beans in a serving bowl and top with queso fresco (or cheddar), fried shallots, and cilantro sprigs.
Tips
No special items needed.
Editorial Notes
The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.
- Be sure to use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
- If you don't have lard, butter is a great substitute.
- Substitute olive oil for lard or butter: Olive oil is a healthier option than lard or butter, and it will still provide a rich flavor to the beans.
- Substitute feta cheese for queso fresco: Feta cheese will add a salty, tangy flavor to the dish that will compliment the smoky chipotle chiles.
Chipotle Sweet Potato Black Beans Replace the black beans with sweet potatoes. Reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons and add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Increase the chipotle chiles to 3. Fry the sweet potatoes in the same manner as the shallots.
Grilled Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter: Sweet grilled corn on the cob topped with a flavorful butter made with cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. This dish is the perfect accompaniment to Chipotle Smashed Black Beans, offering a slightly sweet and tangy contrast to the rich and smoky flavors of the beans.
Grilled Plantains with Honey-Lime Glaze: Sweet grilled plantains topped with a flavorful glaze made with honey, lime juice, and chili powder. This dish is the perfect accompaniment to the Grilled Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter, offering a slightly sweet and tangy contrast to the creamy butter. The chili powder adds a hint of spice to the dish, making it an interesting and flavorful side.
FAQ
Q: How long do I need to soak the black beans?
A: You should soak the black beans overnight for best results. This is not included in the overall prep time.
Q: What are the cooking instructions for black beans?
A: To cook black beans, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the soaked beans. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the beans are tender. Drain and rinse before serving.
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Fun facts:
The chipotle chile is a smoked jalapeno, and it is often used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. This recipe is a great example of how to use chipotles to create a delicious, spicy dish.
The Fandango Cookbook, from which this recipe comes, is a popular cookbook by Chef Rick Bayless. He is a renowned chef and restaurateur, and he has won several awards for his Mexican-inspired cuisine.