====== Black Bean Ragout ======
Ragout
  * 1 lg onion, finely chopped
  * 3 cloves garlic, minced
  * 1 T ground cumin
  * 1/2 t dried oregano
  * 2 t smoked paprika
  * 1 lb (455g or 2 1/4c) dried black beans, rinsed if not already soaked
  * 1 dried chilie
  * 2 T (35g) tomato paste
  * 2 t salt
  * 9-10 c (2 - 2 1/2 l) water or unsalted stock
  * 1 T lime juice or sherry vinegar

Garlicky Toast
  * 1 inch thick slices of bread such as country or ciabatta loaf
  * olive oil
  * salt
  * 1 large garlic clove, halved

Cumin Crema
  * 1 t ground cumin
  * 1 c (240g) sour cream, creme fraiche, or crema mexicana

Lime-Pickled Red Onions
  * 2 T (30ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
  * 1/4 medium red onion, finely diced
  * salt
  * chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  * avocado wedges


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To Cook Beans

slow cooker
  - Put all bean ragout ingredients except lime juice or vinegar in 6 qt slow cooker 
  - Cover and cook on high until very tender, 3 to 6 hours

stovetop
  - Put all bean ragout ingredients except lime juice or vinegar in large pot and bring to boil
  - Reduce to very low simmer and cook for approximately 3 hours, until beans are tender

toasts
  - Brush bread with olive oil and sprink lightly with salt
  - Toast bread under broiler, rub with raw garlic immediately after removing from oven

crema
  - Stir together cumin and sour cream

lime-pickled red onions
  - Mix lime juice, onion, and a pinch or two of salt in small dish and let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occassionally


assembly
  -Once beans are cooked, stir in lime juice or vinegar.  Adjust seasoning to taste.
  -Ladle over garlicky toasts and sprinkle with chipped cilantro, cumin crema, and lime-pickled red onions
  -Serve with avocado wedges

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Cooking Notes

  * No need to presoak beans, but cooking time will be reduced if they are.  Retain bean soaking liquid as cooking water.
  * For thicker ragout, transfer 1 cup of the cooked bean mixture to blender, puree, then return to ragout.



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  Serves: X      Total cook time: X
  Source: Smitten Kitchen cookbook



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{{tag>food vegetarian beans}}