RamenDays.com

In observance of Pearl Harbor and America in general, I’m back after 4 months away from Ramendays.com with a patriotic dish called hobo stew. Not that I’m comparing Pearl Harbor and America to stank hobos, but because hobo stew represents the melting pot that we call the good ‘ol USA. Also, hobos represent the “survive by any means necessary” attitude that is embed in every American soul. On a side note: hobo boxing is my 3rd favorite sport behind lacrosse.

Let us begin….

First things first, I suggest that you soak your beans for 24 hours before cooking them. Not only will they take less time to cook, but you’ll also cut down on the chances of your beans being all crunchy inside after cooking them. But do whatever you want because you think you know everything because you aced all your honors classes in junior high. Well, you might have aced your nerdy science classes, but you still got shoved in your PE locker with the rest of the nerds.

But if you really want to know how to soak beans I’ll let you in on the secret. Put your beans in a pot, wash them, fill the pot with water that will cover the beans two times over, put the pot in the fridge and let them sit for 24 hours. And that’s all she wrote. Hmmmmm, not really too secretive at all. Excuse me…I’m high…nah not really…but I used to be a long time ago.

Now let us cook those bad, bad beans. If you soaked your beans you’ll probably notice that a good portion of the water was absorbed by the beans and the water level has sunk. All you have to do is add more water to the pot before cooking. The water level should cover the beans two times over. Place your pot on the stove and turn the cooking temperature to high heat until the water starts to boil. Let the beans cook in the boil for 2-3 minutes then turn the heat down to medium low, cover and slow cook for 1-1.5 hours (soaked beans) and 2-2.5 hours (unsoaked beans). The reason you want to slow cook your beans is to make sure that they cook all the way thru. If you don’t cook your beans all the way thru, you’ll find that the insides of your beans will have the consistency of popcorn kernels.

A good indication that your beans are cooked thru is that they’ll start forming slits. A good indication that your depressed is that you’ll start forming slits on your wrists. Remember kids, the proper form of wrist slitting is up and down the wrist and not the mythical side to side action. Side to side is begging for attention while up and down tells the world that you really mean business.

After your beans are cooked thru, drain the water (if any water is left) and leave about a cup of water in with the beans. Keep the temperature at medium low heat.

To give my hobo stew some flavor and to make it thick I finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, half a green bell pepper and half an onion.

With your heat still on medium low heat, add your finely chopped veggies and mix in with the bad, bad beans.

In hobo fashion, use a hammer to open a can of tomato sauce. Pour tomato sauce into the pot. Keep the temperature at medium low heat.

I cooked a thin cut of steak and added the pieces to the party.

Then in the same pot (and the same steak juices) that I cooked the steak in, I fried some chopped potatoes then….

had the potatoes crash the party as well.

Turn the temperature up to medium heat, cover and let these ingredients cook together for 15 minutes. Remember to stir every now and again. Also that note that heated tomato sauce has the tendency to jump around so your stove might get a little messy.

In the spirit of the hobo I decided to feast on the stew out of an old Kool-Aid container.

It feels good to be back!!

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