Frijoles de La Olla (Laredo, Garden Ridge: home, vs, garden)

[ranchodrive]

I 've read that using authentic Mexican wares makes a difference in
how your food comes out...even something as simple as frijoles.

Along with home-made tamales...I would like to find a Mexican pot ( olla )
to cook pinto beans like my grandmother used to make.
My friends say, "no, don't do it, it's unsafe because of the lead content in it".

I tell them that perhaps the ones made in the US must certainly meet with safety
guidelines for lead & should be safe to use for cooking beans.

Does anyone use or know where I can find the Mexican pots
for cooking pinto beans ?
Also do you add salt before or after & what else & when ?

I can just imagine my abuelita telling me this...

" tienen que ser cocinados en ollas de barro menso"

[huckster]

People have eaten here from clay pots for thousands of years, without harm. Just don't cook using the shiny, laquered clay pots, the very shiny ones you see in tourist traps. That is what will make you sick eating the laqeur.
Is there a difference in tastes, using modern cookware vs Clay pots?
Maybe.

Originally Posted by ranchodrive

I 've read that using authentic Mexican wares makes a difference in
how your food comes out...even something as simple as frijoles.

Along with home-made tamales...I would like to find a Mexican pot ( olla )
to cook pinto beans like my grandmother used to make.
My friends say, "no, don't do it, it's unsafe because of the lead content in it".

I tell them that perhaps the ones made in the US must certainly meet with safety
guidelines for lead & should be safe to use for cooking beans.

Does anyone use or know where I can find the Mexican pots
for cooking pinto beans ?
Also do you add salt before or after & what else & when ?

I can just imagine my abuelita telling me this...

" tienen que ser cocinados en ollas de barro menso"

[albert soliz]

Originally Posted by huckster

People have eaten here from clay pots for thousands of years, without harm. Just don't cook using the shiny, laquered clay pots, the very shiny ones you see in tourist traps. That is what will make you sick eating the laqeur.
Is there a difference in tastes, using modern cookware vs Clay pots?
Maybe.

Hey Rancho,try contacting some pottery places that make'em.There is one place on S.Flores at Probandt.If you wanna get the gas out of 'em,soke'em for a couple of two ,three hours.I use only garlic powder, onion flakes,a littleCummin(comino),and of course,salt pork.and or ham hocks for better flavor.It takes a few hours,so stir about every 15mins to even out the cooking
process so they won't stay on the bottom.Keep adding water,check for flavor.I added GOYA seasoning and it really gave it much more home style taste to them.Good Luck.
AL

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by albert soliz

Hey Rancho,try contacting some pottery places that make'em.There is one place on S.Flores at Probandt.If you wanna get the gas out of 'em,soke'em for a couple of two ,three hours.I use only garlic powder, onion flakes,a littleCummin(comino),and of course,salt pork.and or ham hocks for better flavor.It takes a few hours,so stir about every 15mins to even out the cooking
process so they won't stay on the bottom.Keep adding water,check for flavor.I added GOYA seasoning and it really gave it much more home style taste to them.Good Luck.
AL

I want to say that there is a difference in taste. Just like ready mix flour tortillas or
the ones that you have to add all the necessary ingredients from scratch.


Hey Albert, Thanks for sharing.

Also...do you put the ingredients right away or later as they cook ?

I've been told that the salt should be added on the second hour not
in the beginning otherwise they will toughen.

True ?

Thanks,
RD

[albert soliz]

Originally Posted by ranchodrive

I want to say that there is a difference in taste. Just like ready mix flour tortillas or
the ones that you have to add all the necessary ingredients from scratch.


Hey Albert, Thanks for sharing.

Also...do you put the ingredients right away or later as they cook ?

I've been told that the salt should be added on the second hour not
in the beginning otherwise they will toughen.

True ?

Thanks,
RD

True,anything that has salt add later on along with the seasonings.Once they soften up a little ,is when they will soak in the seasonings.Let me know how they turn out.Now,this is just my way of doing it,others have different styles.

[mojosalsa]

Take a trip to Melissa Guerra's store. You can be sure you can safely eat off of these wares. And they're gorgeous.
Melissa Guerra | Latin American Kitchen Implements | Hard to Find Latin American Ingredients

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by mojosalsa

Take a trip to Melissa Guerra's store. You can be sure you can safely eat off of these wares. And they're gorgeous.
Melissa Guerra | Latin American Kitchen Implements | Hard to Find Latin American Ingredients

Thanks...will do

[cindersslipper]

The sign of a true foodie.

I have run my fingers to the bone looking for a proper Chinese hotpot but despite a large Asian population, cannot find one anywhere.

Sigh...I feel your pain.

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by cindersslipper

The sign of a true foodie.

I have run my fingers to the bone looking for a proper Chinese hotpot but despite a large Asian population, cannot find one anywhere.

Sigh...I feel your pain.

I have folks in Laredo who could possibly find an "authentic" pot in
"Lotrolado"....( at least as a kid that's what I called Nuevo Laredo).

But ...I'll stay with the safer ones that are available here in town.


I also feel for you...China being so far...


( just kidding with you ... )

[huckster]

You are correct Rancho, Lotrolado's will have a great pot alright. It is a great place. Try Garden Ridge Pottery too.

Originally Posted by ranchodrive

I have folks in Laredo who could possibly find an "authentic" pot in
"Lotrolado"....( at least as a kid that's what I called Nuevo Laredo).

But ...I'll stay with the safer ones that are available here in town.


I also feel for you...China being so far...


( just kidding with you ... )