Cooking Help: How to Make the Best Pot of Beans

Is that bag of dried beans withering away in your pantry? Is that because you aren’t sure how to properly prepare them so the whole family will want some? Well, we found the perfect recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon mixed dried spices (cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, etc)

Directions

  • Wash hands with soap and warm water. Wash produce and chop as directed.
  • Spread beans on a tray to pick out and discard any small stones.
  • Transfer beans to a strainer and rinse.
  • Place beans in a large pot and cover with a few inches of cold water and soak over night.
  • After soaking, drain and rinse. Add beans back to the pot.
  • Add all the other ingredients to the pot. Add enough fresh water to cover beans by about 2 inches.
  • Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 ½ hours until beans are tender.
  • Remove bay leaves.
  • Serve hot or cool and refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
calories, 140; carbohydrate, 25 g; protein, 8 g; total fat, 0.5 g; saturated fat, 0 g; trans fat, 0 g; cholesterol, 0 mg; fiber, 6 g; total sugars, 1 g; sodium, 30 mg; calcium, 48 mg; folate, 201 mcg; iron, 2 mg; percent calories from fat, 3%.