Rancho Gordo Vaquero Beans

Description

QB 30067 030067

A classic chili bean that holds its shape through long, slow, cooking and exudes a generous, dark, rich broth.

A really lovely cousin to the Anasazi bean, Vaquero have intriguing black and white markings, not unlike an appaloosa horse might don. The flavor is somewhat like the Anasazi but it’s a little lighter. The real fun is the inky, black pot liquor. It looks cool and tastes great.

COOKING SUGGESTIONS
Chili, salads, soups, casseroles, dips, pot beans

FROM THE RANCHO GORDO KITCHEN
Light and just slightly potato-like, they keep their shape and would be one of our first choices for a chili bean. We also enjoy them as a classic charro bean, cooked simply and then finished with bacon, tomatoes, and maybe a little stale beer.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Check beans for debris, and rinse thoroughly. In a large pot, saut aromatic vegetables (onions, garlic, celery, carrot, etc.) in olive oil. Add beans and enough water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring to a full boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, using a lid to help regulate the heat, and gently cook until done, 1 to 3 hours. Salt when the beans start to soften. A pre-soak of 2 to 6 hours will lessen the cooking time.