West African Red Beans

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 cup dried pinto bean, picked over
• 1 1/4 cups onions, chopped, divided
• 1/4 cup peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 cup canned whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 soak the beans overnight in 2 quarts of water. or you could quick soak them by putting the beans into a heavy pot and cover with 2 quarts of water, bring to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. remove the pot from the heat and let the beans soak, uncovered for 1 hour.
• 2 bring the pot of soaked beans to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. add 1/4 c of the onion and simmer, partly covered, about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. drain the beans and set them aside.
• 3 in a large skillet, heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking. saute the remaining cup of onions until soft and translucent but not brown. add the tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, cayenne pepper, pepper and salt. stirring frequently, simmer the mixture until most of the liquid has evaporated. stir in the beans and cook, uncovered, for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.