Cooked beans are a very popular traditional dish in various regions of Latin America, especially in countries like Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. This dish has its roots in peasant cuisine, where beans have been used for centuries as an economical and nutritious source of vegetable protein. In Mexico, these legumes are simply known as "frijoles," while in other countries they are called names like "caraotas" in Venezuela, "habichuelas" in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and "porotos" in Chile and Argentina.
The origin of this dish dates back to pre-Columbian times, when indigenous civilizations began cultivating various varieties of beans as a fundamental part of their daily diet. Over time, the recipe evolved, incorporating ingredients like bacon, sausages, or tomato sauce, adapting to the tastes and resources of each region. Thus, cooked beans became a comforting dish, ideal for preparing with family and enjoying in any season of the year.
How to Prepare Claude's Cooked Beans
To prepare this recipe, you will need the following ingredients: ground sausage, celery, onion, baked beans, canned green beans, yellow beans, red beans, brown sugar, tomato paste, prepared mustard, and condensed tomato soup.
Step 1: Brown the ground sausage together with the chopped celery and onion. Once they are well cooked, set this mixture aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the baked beans, green beans, yellow beans, and red beans together with the brown sugar, tomato paste, prepared mustard, and condensed tomato soup. Incorporate the reserved sausage, celery, and onion mixture, making sure to integrate all the ingredients well.
Step 3: Place the entire mixture in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 175 degrees Celsius) for 1 hour, or until the preparation is bubbly and well integrated.
This dish is ideal to accompany meats, rice, or simply to enjoy with fresh bread. Its sweet and savory flavor combined with the texture of the different beans makes it an irresistible and comforting recipe.
