Outlaw's Supper

McCarty's Biscuits & Ma's Secret Beans w/ Bacon

Gather 'round the fire for a taste of the frontier, as authentic as the untamed West itself. McCarty's Sourdough Biscuits paired with "Ma's Secret" Beans and Bacon is more than a meal; it's a journey back in time. Inspired by the legendary Billy the Kid, this dish blends the rustic charm of cowboy cuisine with a touch of family legacy, offering warmth and comfort under the vast, starlit sky.

Recipe Directions

Sourdough Biscuits:

Preheat your campfire (or oven) to a medium-hot temperature, aiming for around 425°F (220°C) if using an oven.
In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the sourdough starter and milk until just combined.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently, about 4-5 times. Roll out to 1 inch thick and cut with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass.
Place biscuits in a greased cast iron skillet. Bake over the campfire with a cover or in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

"Ma's Secret" Beans and Bacon

In a Dutch oven, render the bacon until crisp. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
Drain the beans and add to the pot with water or broth, salt, pepper, and the wild sage.
Cover and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours, until beans are tender and flavorful. Add water as needed to keep the beans covered.
Serve the hearty beans with warm sourdough biscuits on the side.

---

History

Legend has it, Billy the Kid once shared this meal with a fellow traveler, boasting that the sourdough starter used for the biscuits was none other than his ma's own recipe, brought from back East. The starter, kept alive across many a dusty trail, symbolized home's enduring spirit. The "special ingredient" in the beans? A pinch of dried wild sage, foraged from the plains, adding a unique, earthy flavor that speaks of the land itself. This here is one of the recipes shared by Tak and Henry (Billy) on the trail.

Servings

2-4

Prep Time (hours)

2.5

Items Needed

Cast iron skillet. Dutch oven (for the beans, Mixing bowl, Knife, Spoon or spatula

---

Ingredients

For the Sourdough Biscuits

1 cup sourdough starter
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
¾ cup milk or buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking powder (if available)

For the ""Ma's Secret"" Beans and Bacon

1 lb dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
6 strips of bacon, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups water or beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Special Ingredient: A pinch of dried wild sage

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Creator

Henry McCarty