Pinto beans re staples in North American cuisine. Many Latin American food cultures utilize pinto beans in their daily dishes. It is the bean most often used to make the refried beans that is so central to Mexican cuisine and now world famous thanks to the popularity of tacos and burritos. There are all kinds of ways to prepare pinto beans; this recipe is just one of many. You can make them as a side dish or an entrée – they fit in everywhere.
Health Benefits
Pinto beans are amazing for your health and wellness. They are a legume that is high in dietary fiber and protein which already makes them great. In addition to providing those elements they also help to lower your risk of developing diabetes and breast cancer. They can improve your nervous system health, prevent chronic disease thanks to the pinto bean’s antioxidant content, and can even improve memory and cognitive functions.
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2/3 cup diced onion
1 lb dried pinto beans
6 cups water
1 smoked ham hock
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp brown sugar
6.5 oz tomato sauce
How To Make Pinto Beans
- Pour pinto beans into a large bowl and cover them with water.
- Soak beans for 4 hours.
- Change water every 30-45 minutes.
- Drain the pot.
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot.
- Add kosher salt, pinto beans, and ham hock to the pot.
- Cover the ingredients by at least 1 inch of water.
- Note: Pour in more water as needed.
- Reduce heat to a medium-low temperature and simmer until beans become just tender.
- Remove the ham hock from beans.
- Slice the meat from the bone.
- Chop the ham.
- Return the ham to the pot.
- Stir the tomato sauce and brown sugar into the beans.
- Let simmer until the beans turn tender and the flavors are blended.
Trivia
Children in America learn to do basic math using pinto beans as a counter.