Bean Recipe

LA Times – Mayie’s beans from Wool Growers

Dear SOS: My wife and I have spent a number of years trying to duplicate the wonderful beans commonly found at the many Basque restaurants in Southern California, such as Wool Growers in Bakersfield. Might you have a recipe or two for the beans or have Wool Growers share its recipe?

Mayie's beans

Mayie’s beans

Allan and Penelope Coy

Apple Valley, California

Dear Allan and Penelope: Simple to make but rich with flavor, this is the perfect dish for a cool fall evening. Wool Growers was happy to share its recipe so you can enjoy the beans at home.

Total time: About 2 hours | Serves 8 to 10

Note: Adapted from Wool Growers in Bakersfield.

  • 1 pound pinto or pinquito beans
  • 1/4 cup chopped salt pork or bacon
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper

STEP 1
Sort and wash the beans, then place them in a small, heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, loosely covered, until the beans are tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir the beans occasionally and check the water level, adding additional water as needed to keep the beans moist as they cook.

STEP 2
While the beans are cooking, cook the salt pork in a frying pan until the fat is rendered and the pork is cooked, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove and reserve the salt pork, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan and cook over gentle heat until the onion is translucent, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes.

STEP 3
When the beans are tender, stir in the cooked salt pork, onions, garlic, parsley, tomato sauce, thyme and red pepper flakes. Taste and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and one-half teaspoon pepper, or to taste. Bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook a few minutes to marry the flavors. This makes about 1 1/2 quarts beans, which will keep, covered and refrigerated, up to 1 week. The flavors will improve with time.

Each of 10 servings:
Calories 206; Protein 10 grams; Carbohydrates 31 grams; Fiber 10 grams; Fat 5 grams; Saturated fat 2 grams; Cholesterol 5 mg; Sugar 2 grams; Sodium 622 mg

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