Recipe for Magic Beans (cheap and good!)

January 31, 2011 by Mark.

My brother Warren (http://wdpotteryvt.com/) gave me this recipe for what I like to call “Magic Beans.” They’re magic because I didn’t really like to eat beans before I had them this way. Now I love them. They’re a great way to add protein and flavor to your diet - and they’re super cheap to make. I like to freeze them in old quart-sized yogurt containers…

Frugality never tasted so good!

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Magic Beans

Serves: Lots.
Soak 2 lbs black beans overnight. (I buy organic beans in a 25 lb bulk bag and store them in a cool, dry container.)

Add plenty of extra water - they’ll soak up a lot!

Next day, pour out the old water and add new water so that beans are just covered. Simmer slowly for 3-4 hours (I like 4). You might need to add more water during the simmer.

1 hour before done: Add 6-8 cloves garlic minced, 2-3 onions chopped, 1-2 diced carrots (parsnips can be added as well). Possibly a little fresh ginger (1-2T).

20 mins prior to finish:
1-2 tsp garlic powder if no fresh garlic
1-2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cumin (or more)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp curry (or more)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp paprika
(You can buy all of these spices in bulk as well, to reduce garbage and save money)

Salt to taste, roughly 2 Tbsp of sea salt or equivalent bouillon cubes.

Use for taco salad, tacos, eat plain or with cheese on top, whatever you like! They act like re-fried beans. I often lay down a layer of beans, top with cheddar cheese, and then sprinkle on whatever else I have around: fresh diced onions, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, etc. If I have lettuce around I just pile a salad on top. And a bunch of tortilla chips on the side. The extra toppings add more cost, so just use what’s handy and keep it cheap!

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