Quick Cowboy Beans

By bakers_delight85

Ingredients

• 4 thick slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed through a garlic press
• Half of a 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice (preferably fire-roasted)
• 3 1/2 cups home-cooked pinto beans with enough cooking liquid to cover OR
• two 15-ounce cans pinto beans
• 1 or 2 canned picked jalapenos-or more if you like spicy beans
• Salt
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Preparation

Step 1

In a large 4-quart saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring regularly, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for a minute, then add the tomatoes with their juice. Cook, stirring regularly, for 3 to 4 minutes to blend the flavors. Add the beans, with their liquid, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes. While the beans are simmering, stem the chiles, cut in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Chop into small pieces and add to the beans. Taste and season with salt if necessary-if the beans you use were already seasoned, you probably won't need any more salt. Ladle into small bowls, sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.