Borracho Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans (we used Rancho GordoTM Heirloom Beans)
• 3 cups water, for soaking beans
• 3 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 Carroll Shelby’s® Chili Kit
• 1 teaspoon salt + extra to taste
• 1 ham hock
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup dark beer
• 1 tablespoon bourbon, optional

• 2 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 3 serrano peppers (or 1 jalapeño pepper), sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Limes, quartered, for garnish
• Cilantro leaves, for garnish
• 1 Fresno pepper, thinly sliced, for garnish

Directions

1. SOAK beans overnight in 3 cups water.
2. HEAT a Dutch oven over medium heat and add bacon. Cook until crisp, then add onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 3 tablespoons of the Chili Kit Spice Mix packet and salt and stir well. Add beans, ham hock and any remaining soaking liquid along with broth and beer.
3. BRING to a simmer, reduce heat and continue to cook, covered, stirring occasionally for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
4. REMOVE beans from heat and allow to cool slightly. Remove ham hock and set aside; when cooled, pull meat from hock and add meat back to the pot.
5. ADD beer and bourbon to cooked beans; if liquid is too thin, heat beans over medium heat to reduce.
6. COOK bacon in a medium sauté pan over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel. Add red onion, serrano (or jalapeño) pepper and garlic to the pan and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add bacon to mixture.
7. TOP each serving of beans with bacon mixture and garnish with a lime wedge, cilantro leaves and sliced Fresno pepper.