Charro Beans

I love Charro Beans. This requires a little advance planning because the beans need to soak for several hours, preferably overnight. You can cheat and microwave the beans for an hour, but make sure that you keep the beans covered in water. This recipe makes a big pot and will serve 8 to 10 people.
I could never get a recipe quite right until my niece, Jennifer, told me she puts beer in her recipe.
 That is what it was missing! If you are serving this to children, put the beer in with the tomatoes.  Since I am not serving children, I put the beer with the salt and garlic powder, in once the beans are tender. Remember that the salt should be added after the beans are tender, otherwise it makes them hard.

1 pound of uncooked, dried Pinto Beans
water
1/4 pound of Bacon, diced
1/4 pound of smoked Beef Sausage, diced
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 4-ounce can of Diced Green Chiles
1 14.5-ounce can of Diced Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons of Garlic, minced
1 cup of Cilantro, chopped
1 Teaspoon of Chile Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Ground Cumin
1/4 teaspoon of dried Oregano
1 cup of Beer
Salt to Taste
1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
fresh Cilantro, Sour Cream, Chopped Green Olives and Lime for garnish

Pick through beans to remove any bad ones and rinse thoroughly.  Put in a large bowl and cover with water that is double the amount of beans. Let the beans soak overnight.  If you are microwaving to soften the beans, you will need to do this now.  Then I microwave the beans an additional 20 minutes, with the beans covered in water, to reduce the cooking time.  
While you are microwaving on the 20 minute part of the recipe, cook the bacon and sausage over medium heat until done, in a large stock pot.  Add onion and bell pepper and cook until the onion starts to caramelize.  Add the green chiles, tomatoes, minced garlic, chile powder, cumin and oregano.  Lower the heat and let that simmer while the beans finish the 20 minute microwave.  If you are cheating and microwaving for 1 hour, do not start the bacon, sausage, and vegetables until the hour is up.  Once the 20 minutes of microwaving is done, add the beans and additional water.  Let simmer with the lid off, until the beans are tender, adding more water when necessary. Stir occasionally so that the beans do not stick to the bottom of the pan.  This will take about 2 to 3 hours.
Once the beans are tender, add beer, garlic powder and salt.  Simmer about 15 minutes and taste. Adjust seasonings, as needed.
Garnish with cilantro, sour cream, green olives and lime.
Serve with flour tortillas.

Enjoy!

Deloris