Easy Pinto Beans Recipe

 Here's an easy and tasty recipe for cooking pinto beans:

Ingredients:

1 pound dry pinto beans

6 cups water (or low-sodium broth for extra flavor)

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

1-2 bay leaves (optional)

1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Beans: Place the pinto beans in a colander and rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Check for any small stones or broken beans.

2. Soak the Beans (Optional): You can either soak the beans overnight in a large bowl of water or use the quick-soak method. For the quick-soak method, bring the beans to a boil in a pot with water for about 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let them sit for 1 hour. Drain before cooking.

3. Cook the Beans: In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the rinsed and soaked beans, water (or broth), onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and bay leaves. Stir everything together.

4. Simmer: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and check the water level, adding more if necessary to keep the beans covered.

5. Season: Once the beans are tender, remove from heat. Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil, if using. Stir well and remove the bay leaves.

6. Serve: Serve the beans as a side dish, in burritos, on rice, or however you like!

Enjoy your delicious, easy pinto beans!