Comments on: Beans: Frijoles de Olla or Beans from the Pot

By: Pati

Pati — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:10:51 +0000

Yes, a very important step!! Thank you, Jessica!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31:53 +0000

Hello!
My parents are from Mexico so I grew up on rice & beans. My mother (and I think every mexican woman that I’ve asked) always ‘cleans’ the beans by sorting out the ‘ugly’ ones. Picking out blackened, shriveled, and other odd looking beans makes a huge difference to the flavor. Sometimes I’ve found little rocks and very strange beans amongst, yes, even store bought, bagged beans. A NECESSARY STEP for the perfect Frijoles a la Olla!

By: Pati

Pati — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:10:20 +0000

I would use a quarter or a white onion, cover with as much water as you can, and cooking time will be about the same, as you are starting with dry beans…

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:35:29 +0000

Hello,

I bought a small olla. 20oz. I’ve been trying to find a good black bean recipe for this size olla, but I can’t seem to find one. Do you have any tips on how much water, garlic, onions, etc. I should use when cooking black beans in an olla this small? And how long I should cook them for?

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:56:07 +0000

Beans are it, this I know.
I like to make my beans with an overnight light soak, then epazote, beer and tiny bit of onion and garlic, to give them a slight savory layer.
I love your recipes and this site!

By: Ana

Ana — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:44:07 +0000

Thanks for the recipe. I’d like to make a small observation, if after 1 1/2 hr the bean as not yet cooked,and you need to add water to the beans make sure to add hot water and not cold water. Cold water will harden the beans and will slow down the cooking process. As a variation you can also add and herb called epazote about 20 min before there done to give it a different flavor. Saludos

By: Pati Jinich

Pati Jinich — Mon, 23 May 2011 13:58:48 +0000

Hola Robert! I remember growing up and always seeing a pot of beans on the stove too! And now, I usually just make my beans with some onion, though I do know people that cook theirs with some garlic too. While I've never tried cooking them with dried chiles at the beginning of cooking, sometimes I add the chiles in at the end. Here is a link to my recipe for charro beans, where I use jalapenos for another layer of flavor with my beans: http://patismexicantable.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?search=charros&IncludeBlogs=3&limit=20&x=0&y=0

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:02:03 +0000

Hi Pati! I’m just about to try my hand at making the beans. I have fond memories of when I was growing up we would go visit my Nana and she ALWAYS had beans on the stove. I think she would add a dried chile in the pot if I remember right. I thought about trying this but would you recommend putting one in in the beginning or at the end or does it matter? Thanks in advance.

By: Pati Jinich

Pati Jinich — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:33:12 +0000

Hi Char! I agree, there are as many ways of cooking beans are there are cooks! I always make mine with onion, though I would tell you to just choose what you like the best and/or to make what your hubby likes to keep him happy. Thanks for visiting!

By: Char

Char — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:26:08 +0000

Hi Pati!
I’m so glad I found your site! It’s wonderful! I’m a Filipina married to a wonderful Hispanic man, so learning to cook authentic Mexican food is a must! lol I grew up eating Mexican food because my best friend is half…so I got to enjoy the wonderful flavors it has to offer!
I noticed that every household makes different rice and different beans. Though the ingredients are similar, the taste is slightly different. My husband’s grandma makes a different tasting rice and beans than my friend’s mom & grandma. I just thought that was interesting. I favor my friend’s mom’s rice & beans just because I grew up on it, but of course, I had to learn how to make my husband’s grandma’s rice and beans. For some reason though, I just can’t seem to make my beans look like his grandmother’s. She doesn’t put onions in her beans—just a clove of garlic and some bacon or fat of some sort. Have you tried it this way? The beans come out good. They just don’t seem to taste the same, and I can’t figure out why. :\ Anyway, this is just me trying to make sense of everything. Like I said, I’m glad I came across your food blog! I love it!