Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing well in light of the struggles we are all currently facing. I know everyone (myself included!) is getting into the kitchen a lot more these days, and cooking from our pantries and with what we have available.

I thought I’d do a roundup of some of my favorite bean recipes here on Tide & Thyme. They’re great to keep in the pantry in either dried form, or canned – or both! They can always be counted upon to provide a hearty meal – whether the recipe is a quick one that takes just a few minutes…or one that’s simmered for hours. Beans are so versatile in the kitchen!

Also be sure to take a peek at the post I did a few years ago for a well stocked pantry. I list all of my favorites to have on hand! Stay safe everyone.

Nancy’s Beer Braised Pinto Beans – Beans, beer, and spices are simmered for a couple of hours to yield a tender and flavorful pot of beans. Instructions for Instant Pot included too! I like using dried beans – you can use an overnight soak or the quick one-hour method (place beans in pot and cover in cold water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off heat and let beans sit one hour. Then strain, and proceed with recipe. Soaked beans can also be frozen for future quick recipes, instead of using a can!

Chile con Carne – Chili has long been one of my guy’s favorite meals. Serve it with chips and fixings the first night, and leftovers make great nachos or chili dogs!

Bean and Cheese Enchiladas – These enchiladas take just a few minutes to throw together, and after a quick bake in the oven yield a filling meal that everyone will love.

Crockpot Red Beans and Rice – I love this super easy twist on classic Red Beans & Rice. It uses smoked sausage, which lasts in the refrigerator for months (great to have around to add to a quick meal!) – and it cooks in the slow cooker – so you set it and forget it!

Navy Bean Soup – I don’t think it gets more comforting than bean soup. This recipe uses a ham bone, so it’s perfect to make with those leftovers from Easter hams!

Brazilian Black Bean & Pork Stew – this is another great meal that utilizes the slow cooker. Tender juicy chunks of pork and tender black beans are simmered for hours. Then topped off with a fresh, spicy salsa.

Beef Burritos with Poblano Queso – I don’t know about you guys, but I LIVE for queso. Enrobe a burrito with it and I’m completely swooning. This one uses ground beef, black beans, and frozen corn kernals as a base. Then it’s bathed in a homemade poblano queso.

Elly’s Black Beans – this recipe comes from an old friend from by blogging days, back when we were all getting started. I’ve since started adding Lizano seasoning to my black beans, which I’ve added into my repertoire thanks to Pico Taqueria here on Chincoteague. But, without it – they’re still ahhhmazing! Great for black bean tacos, on nachos, in a burrito…the list is endless.

Chipotle Bean Burritos – Yes, another burrito. But this on literally only takes 10 minutes to throw together. And they’re incredibly delicious. One of my favorite older recipes here on the blog!

Black Bean Soup – I love black bean anything, and this soup is no different. I like to top it off with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh pico de gallo when serving.

I don’t use my InstantPot as often as I should. I break it out once a week or two, usually for chicken stock from my leftover bones. I’ve had it for a couple of years now, kind of buying it just to see what all the fuss was about – but being pleasantly surprised by the power it wielded. The saute function has quite a  bit of gumption, and you can get a pretty decent sear on a hunk of meat.

Searing your proteins in the same pan you cook your dish in yields a TON of flavor, that goes right back into whatever it is you’re making. In this case it made for one of the most incredible pan sauces I’ve had in my life. That’s another nice perk too – you can thicken your sauce right in the same pan as well. Who doesn’t love one less dish to wash?

I’d pinned this method for a cheap, lean cut of beef in the Instant Pot a couple of years ago. Scoffing at the idea that a rare roast could be attained in a pressure cooker! It got buried in my pins, and hadn’t given it a thought until I came across a nice sirloin roast marked down at my grocery store last week. For $9 I figured I could take a gamble…

Made it at lunchtime one day, thinking I could just slice it and use it for roast beef sandwiches for lunches. It ended up turning out so good we ate it for dinner, popping it in the oven for a few minutes to reheat. Everyone loved it. And it really couldn’t be any easier or more foolproof.

A quick sear on all sides. A few additions of onions, garlic, and spices. Beef broth. Then cook under pressure for 3 minutes, and let the pressure release naturally for 30 minutes. I then added some red wine to the pan drippings, along with a little cornstarch to thicken. Served it over the thinly sliced beef along with some roasted reds and asparagus. One of the best meals we’ve had in a long time! It was honestly just as good as prime rib, for about one quarter of the price and time involved in preparing it.

I used a 3 pound roast, and it was the perfect hair scant of medium-rare. If you want your roast more well done, or it’s larger – you can continue cooking by recovering and keeping InstantPot on warm for more time. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, get one. They’re cheap and are worth their weight in gold when it comes to worrying about the doneness of things.

I made the first batch of chili this season last Sunday. Usually the first night we eat it, we’ll have tortilla chips and all the fixings to go along with. But on the second night I always make cornbread. And the third night we usually make chili dogs, but I digress.

The cornbread. I’ve been making this recipe for as long as I can remember – it’s delicious and moist, and holds up well extremely well when dunked in thick chili or soups. Cornbread is one of those things that is fun to experiment with additions – cheese, chilis, different herbs and spices. Mix it up a little bit.

You guys know me, usually my favorite way to mix it up is by adding Old Bay – and it was a good call on my part. The savory spicy flavor of the seasoning was a wonderful contrast to the sweet nature of the cornbread. And it always looks so pretty sprinkled on top of anything.

I’m ashamed to admit that this is the first cornbread post here on Tide & Thyme – kinda embarrassing, right? If you’re looking for the dense, sweet “wet” cornbread commonly found here on the Shore (also known as spoonbread) – I’m working on it, but not quite there yet. If anyone has any favorite recipes for that style, I’d love to see them.

But for now here is my go-to sturdy staple, enjoy!

There is nothing that says “comfort food” more than a pot of beans bubbling on the stove. I got this recipe a couple of years ago from my friend and part-time neighbor Nancy, I’ve mentioned them before. We met at this bloggers event hosted by Maryland Tourism, and it turned out they have a vacation house next door here on Chincoteague, literally. It’s a small world after all.

Nancy’s husband Len and their daughter Kelsey own and operate Louthan Distilling in Baltimore, who offer amazing locally distilled whiskey and bourbon. Needless to say, we became fast friends, and usually will get together for a potluck type situation when they are down. I always ask that Nancy bring these beans when we do…

Pintos, tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices are simmered in a beer broth for a couple of hours, to make for a flavorful and tender bean – that lends itself great for burritos, or tacos, or on top of cornbread. Also great mashed up and served refried. If you don’t have the time to spare, you can make them in under an hour (from dried state) in the Instant Pot – you’ll find directions for that included with the regular recipe below.

A hefty dose of cilantro stirred in at the end, and a pint of beer on the side – and you’re good to go. Speaking of beer and locally crafted goodness, have you guys heard that we now have a brewery here on Chincoteague Island? The first on the the Eastern Shore of Virginia. W00t!  I know, I know – so exciting!

Black Narrows Brewing Company opened their doors at the end of December, and we couldn’t be happier that they’re here. It’s run by a wonderful family, they use local ingredients, and their beer is epic. If you’re visiting the island make sure to stop by and see them on Chicken City Road – right behind the Brant.

Enjoy a pint, and get a yourself growler (or three!) to bring home. The Louthans are heading into town this weekend actually, and I can’t wait to get up there with them and enjoy a pint. Have a great weekend, everyone!