Frijoles Borrachos

The word borracho was a 19th century term for a drunkard, so this recipe's name literally means 'drunken pinto beans'. Simmering the pintos in beer, with lots of cilantro, results in a very special flavor.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped ripe tomatoes or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
2 large scallions, chopped
4 cups cooked pinto beans
1/2 cup beer
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced, or 1 (4-ounce) can diced mild green chiles
Salt to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the tomatoes and scallions and sauté over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together, then simmer, covered, over low heat for 30 minutes. If there's too much liquid in the skillet at this time, cook, uncovered, until it thickens up a bit. Serve hot.

Makes 6 or more servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of Nava Atlas; www.vegkitchen.com.