Black Beans

Directions

1. 1
   Rinse the dried beans with water and pick through them, removing any pebbles or debris you find.
2. 2
   Combine the beans and the water in a large saucepan, cover with a lid, and allow to sit at room temperature for 8 hours, or overnight.
3. 3
   (Refer to Techniques for a quick-soak method.)
4. 4
   Place the saucepan with the soaked beans and water over medium heat.
5. 5
   Simmer the beans, uncovered, for 1 hour, or until tender.
6. 6
   Test one bean by pinching it between your fingers.
7. 7
   If it easily caves to pressure, the beans are ready.
8. 8
   If the beans are still tough, continue simmering until they soften.
9. 9
   This requires some judgement on your part; you ultimately decide how soft you want the beans to be.
10. 10
    If you continue cooking, there is no need to add more liquid, just make sure to stir the pot often.
11. 11
    Once the beans are tender, saute the onion and garlic.
12. 12
    Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
13. 13
    Add the onion and garlic and cook them slowly over low heat, for about 10 minutes.
14. 14
    You want to sweat the vegetablesnot brown them.
15. 15
    When ready they will be very soft and translucent.
16. 16
    To the simmering beans, add the onion mixture along with the salt, pepper, oregano, and bay leaf.
17. 17
    Mix well and simmer, uncovered, for another 45 minutes.
18. 18
    At this point, the liquid in the pan should barely be skimming the top layer of beans.
19. 19
    Before serving, check for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
20. 20
    TECHNIQUES
21. 21
    Soaking the Beans
22. 22
    Overnight Soak: The only hard part is remembering to do it.
23. 23
    Just combine the dried beans and water in a saucepan, cover, and let sit overnight at room temperature.
24. 24
    Quick Soak: If you forget to soak your beans overnight or if you decide at the last minute to make them, bring a covered pot filled with the beans and water to a boil, remove from the heat, and let sit for 3 hours.
25. 25
    Then continue with the recipe from the Simmer the Beans point.
26. 26
    INGREDIENTS
27. 27
    Salt
28. 28
    It is important not to add salt to the beans until they have softened.
29. 29
    Adding salt too early in the process will increase the time it takes for the beans to tenderize.
30. 30
    This will substantially add to the cooking time.
31. 31
    ADVANCE PREPARATION
32. 32
    The beans can be made up to 3 days in advance and will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
33. 33
    You can also freeze the beans after they have been cooked.
34. 34
    Frozen beans will keep for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
35. 35
    Just remember to freeze in small useable portions; a large tub of beans will take a long time to defrost.