Drunken Beans

By Texaschef11

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
• 1 large while onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano*
• 1 garlic clove, chopped fine
• 2 cups dried pinto beans, picked over, soaked in cold water at least 4 hours and up to 12, and drained
• 1 1/2 quarts water plus additional if necessary
• 1/2 cup sliced pickled jalapeño chiles
• 1 12 ounce bottle dark Mexican beer such as Negra Modelo or Dos Equis
• 2 teaspoons salt plus 1/2 teaspoon if necessary

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300°F. In a 6-to 7-quart ovenproof kettle cook bacon, onion, oregano, and garlic over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until onion is browned lightly. Add beans, water, jalapeño, and beer and bring to a boil. Bake mixture, covered, in middle of oven until beans are soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (Add additional water if beans begin to dry out. Mixture should be soupy with beans very soft but not falling apart.)