Beans a la Charra

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Sort through the beans and rinse them in cold water. In a large stockpot set over high heat, boil the beans in the 12 cups water for 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let the beans soak for 1 hour. Roast the poblano chile with a kitchen torch, over a gas burner, or under an oven broiler until evenly charred. Rinse it in cold water to remove the charred skin, then stem, seed, and chop it into small dice; set aside.

   Step 2

   Place the ancho chiles in a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Use a plate or small bowl to weigh down the chiles, keeping them submerged. Soak them until softened, about 15 minutes. Drain the chiles, reserving 1/4 cup of the soaking water. Puree the softened chiles and the reserved chile soaking water in the jar of a blender or the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Use a wooden spoon to push the pureed chiles through a strainer and into a bowl; set aside.

   Step 3

   In a large skillet, brown the bacon over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towels. In the same skillet, sauté the onions, jalapeños, garlic, and poblano in the bacon fat over medium heat. Add the onion mixture to the beans and their soaking water in the stockpot.

   Step 4

   Add the tomatoes, pureed ancho chiles, salt, and beer. Bring the beans to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook, uncovered, until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir into the beans. Serve warm in small bowls, sprinkled with cilantro.

2. do it early

   Step 5

   The beans can be made up to 5 days in advance and refrigerated.