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On a trip to Louisiana, I picked up a pack of Camellia Brand Pink Beans. I had never cooked with them before, and was excited to use them in a dish.
So, here I'm thrilled to share a Hearty and Delicious Pink Beans recipe, which I know you and your family will love!
This fantastic recipe:
- Makes for a great side dish! It's especially wonderful when served with barbecued meats, but perfect served with any of your favorite main dishes.
- Is economical! Using dry beans is very cost effective and you can treat your entire family to a huge pot of beans for just a few dollars!
- Will make your taste buds sing! One taste of this dish, and you'll fall in love!
So first allow me to tell you a little bit about pink beans!
What Are Pink Beans?
From CamelliaBrand.com: "Pink beans, or habichuelas rosadas, are similar in size to pinto and Great Northern beans and have a rich, meaty flavor." They are popular in the Southwestern United States, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico.
The bean's color is a pale pink/light red/light brown, hence the name pink beans. They are small and oval in shape.
Pink beans are commonly used in chili, and to make refried beans. A great substitute for pink beans is pinto beans because of their similarity.
These beans are great to add to your collection of beans in your pantry!
Ingredients You Will Need For This Dish
The ingredients you will need for this dish are:
- ½ lb dried Pink beans (use Camellia brand if you can!) - rinsed and sorted no need to soak! - can sub dry pinto beans
- 4.5 cups unsalted chicken broth or cold water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 1 cup bell pepper (any colors) diced
- ½ ts black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- ¼ lb salt pork diced (can sub ham hock)
- few sprigs of fresh thyme (can sub dried thyme but fresh is best!)
- additional salt and pepper to taste
Please note I am using dried beans for this recipe. However, pink beans are available in cans. If you will use canned beans, I would recommend 2 cans of pink or pinto beans for this recipe (drained and rinsed).
Easy Instructions For This Great Recipe!
It's SUPER EASY to make this hearty side dish!
Begin by heating up 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add minced onion and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then add the bell pepper and celery and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
Now add the unsalted broth (or water), beans, and salt pork. Bring to the boil for around 10 minutes. Lower the heat to a simmer and add ½ ts pepper, the dry mustard and chili powder.
Stir through, cover, and simmer for around 1 hr - 1.5 hrs or until the beans are cooked and tender. Check on this every 20 minutes or so, and add a little water as necessary if you feel it's becoming too dry.
Be sure to savor the amazing aromas coming from your kitchen during this time!
Finally, add salt and pepper to taste and the thyme leaves from the sprigs. Please note that it may not be necessary to add any salt, as the salt pork is quite salty.
And that's it! Your DELICIOUS pink beans are ready to enjoy!
Suggestions For Serving
Enjoy these delicious pink beans as part of a hearty meal! They are SUPERB served with barbecued meats or even just paired with rice!
If so inclined, add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce or a bit of cayenne pepper for some delicious heat!
In my opinion these taste even better the next day. So if you have any leftovers you can look forward to another delicious helping of beans!
I hope this may become a favorite recipe of yours for beans!
Frequently Asked Questions
Pinto beans are recommended if you can't find or prefer another type of bean for this recipe.
Major grocery stores should carry pink beans either in the beans and legumes section or in the Latin food section of their store. You can also purchase them on Amazon, but they are a bit pricey there!
Pink beans have a meaty taste and are a little bit sweet. They are delicious!
Some Other Recipes You Will Enjoy!
Perfect Baby Back Pork Ribs From The Oven
Refreshing Southern Cucumber Salad!
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Cheers!
Grace
Delicious and Hearty Pink Beans Recipe!
Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- ½ lb pink beans rinsed and sorted no need to soak! - can sub pinto beans
- 4.5 cups unsalted chicken broth can sub water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 1 cup bell pepper diced (can use any color you want)
- ½ ts pepper plus additional to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard I used Colman's
- ¼ lb salt pork diced (can sub ham hock)
- few sprigs thyme fresh is best, but can sub dried
- salt to taste (may not need any as the salt pork already adds salt)
Instructions
- Begin by heating up 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add minced onion and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then add the bell pepper and celery and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
- Now add the unsalted broth (or water), beans, and salt pork. Bring to the boil for around 10 minutes. Lower the heat to a simmer and add ½ ts pepper, the dry mustard and chili powder.
- Stir through, cover, and simmer for around 1 hr - 1.5 hrs or until the beans are cooked and tender. Check on this every 20 minutes or so, and add a little water as necessary if you feel it's becoming too dry. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste and the thyme leaves from the sprigs.
