Spring #RanchoGordo #BeanClub haul!

Trip to Rancho Gordo Beans (Napa, CA) to stock up.... Today's sample was a cup of their Mexican hot chocolate, with a slice of Pan de Mmuerto. Both excellent. The Bean Bin is a joy, every bean a jewel, fascinating like looking at a bowl of beads or shells. Tactily delicious.
#ranchoGordo #theMagicalFruit

What's for dinner #HomeCooking #fromscratch #ranchogordo

Beans, beans the magical fruit... No longer do I toot!
I LOVE beans. Especially #RanchoGordo beans, which, once you try, make it VERY hard to go back to grocery store beans. I did try, and the quality, taste, and beans shell/skin were awful.
My partner made and awesome white bean and fennel soup... OMG. Delicious. Every batch he cooks, half makes a soup, half is reserved for whatever. Thinking back to pre-rancho gordo beans, as much as I am a bean and chili whore, I would suffer gas. Not just oops, a fart, giggle.... but omg, I can't take anymore of the farting I need a break. What changed was cooking method. Not sure which is the key factor but it could be both--- a piece of kombu/kelp in the pot (doesn't change the taste) and a hard 15 minute boil to break something down (his research), then simmer. Even he can eat the beans now!!!!! There is nothing worse than someone cooking you excellent food that they get stomach aches from, and can't eat. So we are happy campers! Hurray for better beans and kombu.

I remember as a child hating beans because they were cold, canned kidney beans randomly on top of a salad. Now I am excited about old favourites and new varieties. #ranchogordo