Ingredients

2 C. beans, anasazi dried or pinto beans
10 coriander seeds
8 juniper berries
1 small onion
1 Tbsp. oil, sunflower or light olive oil
1 tsp. chile, red, ground
1 tsp. oregano, mexican or greek)
2 1/2 quart water
salt

Cooking Instructions

Sort through the beans, rinse them well, cover them with cold water and set them aside for 6 hours or overnight. Bruise the seeds and berries in a mortar and chop the onion into small squares. Warm the oil in a wide bottomed soup pot; add the onions, coriander seeds, juniper berries, chili and oregano. Cook together over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the fresh water. Bring to a boil; then lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the beans are as tender as you like them probably another 30 minutes or so. When done, check the seasonings. Serve the beans in a bowl with the broth. There are a lot of tasty additions you can use cilantro, mint, scallions, spoonfuls of thick mexican cream, cheese and so forth, but try the beans plain first. They should have a wonderful clean, uncluttered taste that can be quite refreshing.

My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” (Psalms 42:3)