How Do You Make Venison (Or Beef) Chili Using Dried Beans?
Why use canned beans when it’s so easy and cheap to use dried beans for making chili? This recipe shows how to use venison, dried pinto beans and canned tomatoes to make a delicious, nutritious, low-fat, inexpensive one-dish meal without spending all day in the kitchen. Sort through (to remove rocks or dirt) and wash 2 cups dried pinto beans (I rinse them with water in the 2-cup measure). Bring 2 quarts water to a full boil in large pot – gradually add beans so water keeps boiling. This pops the skins so they absorb water faster (instead of the old-fashioned overnight soak). Boil a few minutes, then turn heat off and let sit for one hour. Turn burner on high and add the following seasonings while bringing the pot of beans to a boil: 1 large bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried sweet basil, 13 whole peppercorns, 1/4 cup pickle juice. The vinegar helps the beans cook softer and makes them easier to digest. Turn heat down and simmer with lid on for 2 to 3 hours until beans are done. When beans are
