Azore Style Feijos Beans Recipe

Ingredients for Azore Style Feijos Beans

• Dried Pink Beans
• 8 cups water
• Bacon
• Yellow Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Cinnamon Stick
• Cumin Powder
• Coriander Seed
• Whole Cloves
• Whole Allspice
• Bay Leaves
• Tomatoes
• Salt And Pepper

How to Make Azore Style Feijos Beans

1. Rinse 1 pound of your chosen dried beans (pink beans recommended!) thoroughly under cold water.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the beans with 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are tender but not mushy. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
3. While the beans simmer, prepare the sofrito: In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and 2 cloves of garlic, minced, and saute until softened (about 5 minutes). Stir in 1 green bell pepper, chopped, and 1 red bell pepper, chopped. Cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional), and a pinch of saffron (optional). Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
5. Stir the sofrito into the simmering beans. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
6. Continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the beans are perfectly tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley (optional).