Suggested Recipes Kidney Bean Recipe

Red Bean Stew with Fried Onions and Cilantro

Ingredients

1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed

3 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, more as needed

3 bay leaves

4 garlic cloves, peeled

1 1/2 cups packed cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more leaves for garnish

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh summer savory or oregano leaves

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp dried blue fenugreek (optional)

1/8 tsp cayenne, to taste

1 large Spanish or yellow onion, diced

1 1/2 tbsp olive or safflower oil

Tkemali (Georgian plum sauce), pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar, to taste

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, more to taste

Pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)

Suluguni, feta, or ricotta salata cheese for serving (optional)

Directions

<p>In a large bowl, combine beans and 1 teaspoon salt. Add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches and let soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain. Combine beans, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaves and 6 cups water in a heavy pot or Dutch oven and bring to a simmer. Simmer very gently, partly covered, until beans are quite tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Using a mortar and pestle, blender or mini food processor, grind garlic, cilantro, savory or oregano, pepper, coriander, fenugreek (if using), cayenne, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt into a rough paste. Set 2 tablespoons of chopped onion aside for final garnish. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add remaining onions and fry until they turn brown at the edges, 7 to 12 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. When the beans are done, drain and reserve cooking liquid. Return beans to pot and use a potato masher or sturdy spoon to mash them, gradually adding the cilantro-garlic paste and fried onions. When everything is well incorporated, stir in reserved cooking liquid until soupy. Taste and season with tkemali or pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and more salt, if needed. Garnish each serving with raw onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds (if using), and a drizzle of tkemali or pomegranate molasses, if you like. Serve cheese on the side or crumbled on top. </p>