Caracoles Con Frijoles Colorados

Ingredients

4 tb oil
2 tb butter
3/8 c shallot
2 garlic
2 chilies
1 pn nutmeg
1 pn cumin
7 snails
2 pernod
2 c stock
4 c kidney beans
1/2 c parsley

Instructions

Salt (to taste) Pepper (to taste) ** See recipes for Beef Stock, or Veal Stock. *** To cook the kidney beans properly, soak 1 1/2 cups of dried kidney beans in 4 cups of water overnight. Drain, place in a pot of water to cover by 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, over medium heat until tender. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and saute, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the chilies, nutmeg, cloves, and cumin and cook, stirring for 2 more minutes. Add the snails to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the Pernod and cook until it evaporates. Add the beef stock and bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the beans and a 1/4 cup of parsley, stirring briefly, just until the beans are heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parsley and serve warm.