Black Bean Delish Side Dish

I have had a thing for black beans for some time now.  I love a good tasty heap of well-seasoned black beans on a chip with a nice dollop of sour cream resting on top.  When I cook black beans as a side dish it's hard for me to keep a spoon out of the pot while they are cooking! 

Last summer, I tried my hand a growing black beans in our garden.  What an easy thing to do and such fantastic surprise to shell the dried bean pods.  I ended up with a couple of quart sized canning jars full and a big smile from me!  It is probably cheaper to buy a bag or can of beans at the store but it's not near as much fun.  And a gardener's job should always be rewarding.  That's why I like to try new things in the garden.  I've already been seed shopping and have my magazine marked with sharpie and post-its all throughout. 

Black Bean Delish Side Dish

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

water

1 packet Sazon

1/4 cup ketchup

a handful each of green pepper, red pepper and onion chopped (how's that for measuring)

1 clove garlic minced

4 or 5 dashes hot sauce (please do not omit this, and please use Texas Pete)

a few dashes black pepper

In a sauce pot, cover black beans with water, doubled (meaning about an inch over the beans.)  Add all ingredients to pot and cook at a simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

If you choose to use dry beans, soak the beans overnight.  Drain beans the next day.  Use the steps in the canned bean recipe except increase cooking time by an hour and water by 2 cups. 

I seriously wish I had a picture of the finished product but sometimes you gotta blog when the moment hits you.  I am making my black beans for lunch and they have another 30 minutes to cook so.  You'll just have to make them and see!

BTW - if you don't have a garlic mincer or don't feel like getting it out and washing it after, here's an easy trick.

Place the peeled garlic clove between a small folded sheet of wax paper.  Lay a wide knife on top of the garlic and give it a good whack or two.  Chop slightly and you're good to go.  You dont' have to use a knife, just anything non-breakable with a solid surface for crushing.

Therapy Pouch

I have a little bean bag that has been bringing me comfort since I had TMJ surgery when I was 19. (I actually have two of them) They are simple rectangle pouches stuffed with beans that can be heated in the microwave for warm therapy or kept in the freezer for an instant cold pack which is where I store mine. When I had TMJ surgery they brought much comfort to my aching jaw joint by heating them for just a minute and resting it against my jaw line. My maxillofacial doctor recommended placing heat instead of cool for comfort. Nowadays I use them more as cold patches fresh from the freezer to reduce puffy eyes and ease headaches. But after all this time they still provide comfort.

I have thought of making some for friends or just to have a new one. They seemed simple enough and turns out they are! I recently cut one of mine open and found the secret ingredient, which I always suspected, was plain ole Great Northern white beans! When I first purchased the pouches they had an herbal scent which has long since worn off. But I decided as I made new ones to add a bit of dried lavender to mine as it aids in relaxing in aromatherapy circles. They are super simple to make as long as you have the right stuff. Here's what I did...

For the inside bean pouch I used scraps of fabric cut into 9"x 9" squares. Take one square and fold it in half. Sew along the bottom and up one side leaving the top open. Turn inside out and pour in about 1 1/2 cups dried Great Northern white beans and 1 teaspoon dried lavender if you wish. Sew along the open end carefully so the beans don't come tumbling out... I pinned mine shut just above the beans. Sew back and forth a couple of times to seal good. Your nice bean pouch is complete! Next I took a scrap of prettier fabric and cut it into a 10"x 10" square. I hemmed the top end and sewed up the bottom and side to form a cover for my pouch. The cover is removable and washable. Place your bean pouch inside and your therapy pouch is totally complete!

I was told when I bought mine to remove the sleeve when you heat it in the microwave. So I always did. Also only heat it for a minute.. any longer and you will burn the contents! I hope you enjoy them! If you can't or don't want to make one yourself please let me know as I may have some for sale on my Etsy sight soon.