"CHARRO" BEANS
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an authentic and popular alternative to refried beans. 

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INGREDIENTS 

- 	2 lbs. red beans 
- 	1 lb. white onion 
- 	1/2 lb. chorizo or Italian sausage/cut into pieces 
- 	1 lb. tomatoes 
- 	1 clove garlic 
- 	1/2 lb. pork leg/boneless and trimmed of excess fat. 
- 	2 each chilies guajillo (dry) 
- 	1 branch fresh epazote 
- 	4 oz. vegetable oil 
- 	to taste-salt 

TO PREPARE THE CHILIES GUAJILLO 

1.	Split chilies and remove the seeds 
2.	Soak in hot water for 10 minutes 
3.	Remove from the water and purZ˙e into a smooth paste 

TO PREPARE THE SOFRITO 

1.	Cut porkleg into small size cubes 
2.	Cut onion and tomatoes into medium sized dice 
3.	Heat 2 oz. of oil in a sauce pan and cook the pieces of pork leg. 
4.	Remove cooked pork and add the pieces of sausage, fry and remove/pour off excess fat and grease. 
5.	Add tomatoes and onions and cook in a small amount of oil for 5 minutes, return the prepared porkleg meat and sausage. 
6.	Add the chile guajillo paste and cook together for three minutes. 

TO PREPARE THE BEANS 

1.	Wash beans well and allow to soak for 2 hours. 
2.	Place beans with plenty of water in a pot large enough to accommodate all. 
3.	Add 1/2 of an onion cut into pieces, the garlic and epazote, a dash of salt, and bring to a boil. 
4.	Cook beans 3/4 of the way done and then turn off the fire. 

TO SERVE THE DISH 

1.	Prepare the sofrito, and after you have added the chilli guajillo paste to it, add the cooked beans with their liquid. 
2.	Allow the beans to complete cooking with the sofrito. 
3.	Serve charro beans hot and accompany with warm flour tortillas 

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Recipe from Chef Mars' Cyberchefs Electronic Union Website
http://www.marscafe.com/
mars@webcom.com
mars@marscafe.com
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