'Busted Pinto Beans

[Papa Tom]

I'm guessing it has something to do with the soaking we already took in the market this year.........

[mgwerks]

Another way to thicken up beans is to take about 1/4 of them and mash them real good with a potato masher then add them back in. Or a little flour or cornstarch dissolved in cold water and added in will help thicken the juice.

If you don't like what flour or corn starch does to the consistency of the beans, you could always use the old South Texas favorite and add a little masa. Also, I haven't thought to use it in beans (as I use the mash-a-few method), but a good trick for soups and stews is to use instant potato flakes. A little goes a long way.

Back to pinto beans. I make them several different ways depending on what they are served with, but my wife has a distinct favorite. For that I use the overnight soak and long simmer method, then, as they are finishing, I toss a handful of grated cheese in. This flavors and thickens them up. Finally, just before serving, a goodly amount of pico de gallo gets stirred in. Adding it at the end helps retain the crunch, and she always gives me a smile when these beans appear. On second thought, maybe it's gas.

[bowhnter]

OK, I got a response from the guy. It just has to do with the freshness of the beans...his response below.

"When in doubt to age, soak. If the skins start to shrivel after a couple of hours, they are most likely fresher ones.

Sometimes the ones at the stores are dated, but your best bet is to get them from farmers markets or right from the processor. Some of my friends families are farmers so that's how I get them. "

[BluDawg]

I just finished a pot of my chuck wagon beans got em cooling down. I'm going to try that potato deal on the next pot. I just add salt and some baking soda to the soaking water and that works too. No ozone destroying methane. to thicken mine i just remove 1 cup of my finished beans with the liquor put them in the blender with a little Wild Turkey about 2 shots and puree then stir it back in to the pot.

[DATsBBQ]

Making up a pot of this in just a few minutes. I'm adding a shallot (diced and sauteed).

[ChileFarmer]

Dave beans are good food. I like the anasazi, beans best. Do you ever cook them? I am having trouble getting them here, as of late. Used to have a trucker that would bring us 25# bag when he came through Colorado. CF

[Gator]

Potato - No Potato?

[DATsBBQ]

Dave beans are good food. I like the anasazi, beans best. Do you ever cook them? I am having trouble getting them here, as of late. Used to have a trucker that would bring us 25# bag when he came through Colorado. CF

I prefer the Anaazi beans too, but they seem to be hard to find these days. Just like any good thing, when the folks catch on they become scarce. They are much lower in carbs and seem to digest better.

Potato - No Potato?

I got a potato in there too

[Stewdog]

Has anyone used their smoked rib end to flavor beans.

[BluDawg]

No but I chop the trimmings in to 1/2 - 3/8" pieces and add them and I smoke the trimmed off breast bone and it goes in to. I'm to cheap to by a ham hock.

[DATsBBQ]

Smoked rib tips are good flavoring, and I've used them in the past. Only complaint is the cartridge pieces are kind of a turn off.

[Hj]

Has anyone used their smoked rib end to flavor beans.

Yes- I have n they have a wonderful flavor in the beans _ in fact always make a few just for that purpose- sometimes freezing a few so I will have on hand later..

[dheidemann]

my bro-in-law james would always put the rib ends in his beans!!!!

[Hj]

Adding some raw bacon pieces -onion n garlic to those beans enhance the flavor also with that ham bone.