How to Make Delicious Spanish Beans

Are you looking for a tasty and hearty recipe to add to your rotation? Look no further than Spanish beans! This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients, making it the perfect addition to a cozy night in or a dinner party with friends. And, the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, even for the most novice of cooks.

To start, you’ll need a few key ingredients such as canned white beans, diced tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and Spanish chorizo. Don’t worry if you can’t find all of these ingredients in your local grocery store – substitutions can easily be made with whatever you have on hand. Once you have your ingredients gathered, all you need to do is sauté them together in a pan and let the flavors meld. It’s that simple! So, let’s dive into the step-by-step process for making this delicious and comforting dish.

Section: How to Make Spanish Beans

Ingredients

To make Spanish beans, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound dried Spanish beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Step 1: Preparing the Beans

Begin by rinsing the dried Spanish beans under cold running water. Pick out any small stones or debris. Soak the beans in a large bowl of water overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Once the beans are well-soaked, drain the water and rinse them again with fresh water.

Step 2: Sauteing the Veggies

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.

Add the chopped red bell pepper to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 3: Adding Spices and Beans

Add the smoked paprika, ground cumin, bay leaf, and salt to the pot and stir. Carefully add the soaked beans to the pot, along with 3 cups of water or chicken broth.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the beans cook for 1-2 hours, or until tender. Check the beans occasionally and add more water or broth if needed.

Step 4: Mashing the Beans

Once the beans are tender, use a potato masher or spoon to mash some of the beans in the pot. This helps thicken the sauce and creates a creamier texture.

Transfer the Spanish beans to serving bowls, and serve hot with your favorite toppings such as diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice.

Tips for Making Perfect Spanish Beans

1. Cook beans on low heat to avoid tough and chewy beans
2. Soak beans overnight for a smoother texture and to reduce cooking time
3. Use chicken broth instead of water for a more flavorful dish
4. Use a variety of toppings like diced avocado or fresh cilantro for added flavor
5. Add a diced tomato for extra depth of flavor and color
6. Experiment with different beans like black beans or kidney beans to create unique flavor combinations
7. Use smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor
8. For a thicker consistency, mash some of the beans before serving
9. Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking and burning
10. Store leftover beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days

Now that you know how to make delicious Spanish beans, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking. With these simple steps and tips, you can easily create a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Bon appetit!

Ingredients Needed

To make authentic Spanish beans, there are a few key ingredients that you will need. Here is a list of what you will need to gather:

1. Dried beans (1 pound)
2. Chorizo (2 sausages)
3. Tomato sauce (1 can)
4. Onion (1 large)
5. Garlic (4 cloves)
6. Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
7. Bay leaf (1)
8. Water (6 cups)
9. Salt, pepper, and paprika (to taste)
10. Spanish paprika (2 tablespoons)

Preparation & Cooking

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get started on how to make Spanish beans. Firstly, you need to prepare your beans by soaking them in water overnight. This will help soften them and reduce the cooking time.

Once your beans are ready, you can begin cooking by heating up the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add in the onions and garlic, and sauté until they are translucent. Then, add in the chorizo and cook until it begins to brown.

Next, pour in the tomato sauce, water, and bay leaf. Stir everything together, and then add in the soaked beans. Mix everything together again and add in the salt, pepper, paprika, and Spanish paprika.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the beans to cook for about 2 hours, or until they are tender. Be sure to stir occasionally and check on the water levels. If it gets too low, you can add more water as needed.

Once the beans are cooked, let them cool for a few minutes and then remove the bay leaf. You can serve the Spanish beans hot with some crusty bread, or you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Conclusion

Learning how to make Spanish beans is a great way to add some international flair to your cooking. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different spices and ingredients to find the perfect recipe that suits your taste buds, and enjoy!

Ingredients needed for Spanish beans recipe

Making Spanish beans is quite an easy and straightforward process, and the ingredients needed can be easily sourced from your local grocery store or market. Below are the essential ingredients needed to prepare Spanish beans.

1. Beans:

The first and most important ingredient you will need to make Spanish beans is the beans themselves. You can use black beans, kidney beans, or any other type of beans you prefer for this recipe. You will need a pound or two of beans, depending on the number of people you intend to serve.

2. Olive oil:

Olive oil is a staple in Spanish cooking and is an essential ingredient in the preparation of Spanish beans. You will need about two tablespoons of olive oil to cook the beans.

3. Garlic:

Garlic is another staple ingredient in Spanish cooking and is used in the preparation of almost all Spanish dishes. You will need about four to six cloves of garlic, minced or chopped.

4. Paprika:

Paprika is a spice that is widely used in Spanish cooking, and it gives Spanish beans their distinctive smoky and spicy flavor. You will need about a tablespoon of smoky paprika to give your beans that Spanish flavor.

5. Salt and pepper:

Salt and pepper are used to season the beans to taste. You will need about a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper, but you can adjust these measurements to suit your taste.

Instructions to make Spanish beans

Now that you know the essential ingredients needed to make Spanish beans, let’s dive into the preparation process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious Spanish beans at home:

1. Soak the beans:

Before cooking the beans, it is best to soak them overnight or for at least eight hours. This helps to reduce the cooking time and makes the beans more digestible. Drain and rinse the beans after soaking.

2. Cook the beans:

Put the soaked beans in a pot with enough water to cover them, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the beans simmer for about an hour or until they are tender.

3. Sauté garlic:

While the beans are cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute or until fragrant.

4. Add paprika:

Add the smoky paprika to the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Paprika burns easily, so be sure to stir constantly.

5. Add the cooked beans:

When the beans are cooked, drain the excess water and add them to the pan with the garlic and paprika mixture. Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine.

Your delicious Spanish beans are now ready to serve! You can garnish them with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve as a side dish or a main dish with rice or bread. The leftovers can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for later use.

¡Hasta la vista!

Thanks for hanging out with me while we cooked up some delicious Spanish beans together! I hope that my recipe has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen and try out some new flavors. Remember, cooking is all about having fun and experimenting with different ingredients. So don’t be afraid to whip up your own version of this traditional dish! If you enjoyed this article, make sure to come back soon for more tasty recipes and cooking tips. ¡Hasta la vista!