Beans and Buddies

Crock of Beans

This is a two fold blog...but not really. 

Let me explain:  I have very little family hear on earth and those who still remain are not interested in being a family.  So the heaven's have shined down on me and sent me Patsy and Randall, who without hesitation opened there arms and home to me and my children.  We call Patsy Mimi Patsy and we haven't found a special name for Randall yet, but we still have a special place in our heart just for him. 

Mimi Patsy is a gentle kind woman with a great since of humor and awesome cook.  She is deeply rooted in her faith and it makes her move mountains, she is quite an example of belief.  She has taught me to remain steady in my own faith.  We are rather an odd pair as I am Native American...and she a beautiful Christian.  But it works and we find we both love family, happiness and enjoying life.

Mimi Patsy, Alex, Randall and Trinity

Randall is a big teddy bear with a deep warm voice,  that scares the kids to death.  But Alex, my shy one was impressed when he defended a lizard from some grandchildren over anxious hands.  From then on Alex sings Randall's praises.  Not only his he caretaker of animals but he is an impressive wood worker.  He made a beautiful trunk and is presently making a boat.  I really need to take pictures of these things. If I am not mistaken he did most of the work on building his house.

Randall and Patsy home Covered in kids

So you ask "what does this have to do with a pot of beans?" Simple, to make sure they stay my adoptive family I make sure I take good things to eat.  And I will share the recipe for these yummy thing so you get invited back to your favorite family too. 

Forrest Baked Beans
(for a crowd)

2 lb Maple sausage Meat
2 slices Bacon
2 lb dry beans the small red ones
1 large onion diced small
1/4 cup Molasses
1 1/2 quarts vegetable juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 t dry mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
pinch of baking soda

The night before rinse and soak the beans overnight.
In the morning par boil the beans till you blow on them and the skin peels back. Drain add fresh water and a pinch of baking soda cook till you pinch them and they squash.
put onion in crock pot with 1 cup of vegetable juice (add the 1/2 cup as needed to keep wet but not soupy).
add the molasses, brown sugar, mustard, salt and pepper and bacon. 
In a pan brown half of the sausage drain and put in beans. Put the other half in the crock...this is so you don't get too much fat in the beans.
Put this on low for 8 hours or longer if you can...this is one of those thing that gets even better the longer it cooks.  Stir a few times testing to see if you need to add more sugar or salt and pepper.

Refried Black Beans

Cheap Eats
I wanted to share something delicious and taste. I make this as a side one night and then part of a meal the next. It is cheap and easy to fix and freezes well. So make big batches and get those freezer bags out. They can be refrigerated for 4 days as well. I do not recommend canning beans.

1 pound of Black Beans
7 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons Lard
1 Onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Rinse and pick over the beans. Place the beans and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover, and cook until the beans are creamy in the center. About 1 1/2 hours. Just Mash them between your fingers to see if they are creamy.
Mash the beans in the liquid with a potato masher...this is where the kids come it! I have two that love to help in the kitchen.
Over medium heat, melt the lard ( I know lard is a big no, no. But any other fat will not give you the taste and really are you going to eat the whole pan of beans? you wont even see a teaspoon of that fat) Saute the onions with the salt until golden, about 20 minutes. Add the beans and liquid and continue cooking. Sirring frequently, the beans will form a mass that will pull away from the sides of the pan. The are finished.

Second and third life's

Black Bean Tacos
Use Corn Tortillas, dip them in water then put them in a hot pan, count to 5, flip them, count to 5 again. Take it out and slather with beans, top with your favorite cheese and taco toppings.

Black Bean Quesadillas
Use flour Tortillas, spray your pan, place tortilla in pan top with cheese and bean then cheese again, then top with another tortilla. Turn over after one minute and then dish up with your favorite salsa.