i made my weekly batch of beans and this time i went with pinto beans, which i havent made before, and green chilis. I opted to skip any meat as I’m short on cash (and also havent found things like TVP at my local grocers yet). They turned out ok, like they dont taste bad, but theyre missing something and I dont know what. The word I keep thinking of is bass but i dont really know what i mean by that foodwise. Umami?? How do I add more bass to my beans? mushrooms?
ingredients i used:
pinto beans
green chilis + onion + garlic
oregano, cumin, some chili powder, garlic powder, s&p
cooked in faux-chicken stock
What’s your cooking process like? I’ve had good experience with simmering the beans until cooked (with spices and bay or whatever), sauteing my onions, peppers and spices in oil, then adding the beans to that. I think the flavors from browning the veggies could help, and I agree that you need some kind of fat to lift and carry flavor.
Maybe you could roast the veggies in the oven, then simmer them with the beans?
I think you’ve got everything there to make them taste good, so you might take a look at the process. I usualy add black pepper and coriander, but tastes vary!
First I brown any meat (didnt use any this time), i saute the veggies first then usually (but not this time) cook my spices up, then simmer everything in the same pot. Fat is probably a big missing factor yeah since I usually get it from the sausages I fry up and add I reckon - I didnt think of that.
I think you’ve got a good handle on it. The next batch will be the best one!