Cubanos Frijoles Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Sort and clean beans, then rinse twice in cool water. In a heavy cooking pot, add water to cover the beans completely and soak overnight in the refrigerator. NOTE: what ever I have put in the above recipe that states Set Aside for Later does not go into the pot now. (Example recipe calls for 3/4 cup olive oil, half goes in now; the other 1/4 cup gets set aside for later). Next morning do not throw soaking water away put on the stove, to the pot add one whole green pepper core and seeds removed, cut pepper in half; add the two halves like this to the pot. Add half cup olive oil, three cloves garlic smashed, 2 tbls vinegar, 1/2 tsp oregano, cumin, salt, bay leaf, 1 tsp of sugar, and 2 tabelspoons red wine. Cover and cook on medium low flame for about 2 1/2 hours.
• 2. While beans are cooking make this sofrito, This sofrito should be added to the beans, after two and a half hour of cooking has past. In a large skillet heat remaing 1/4 cup olive oil; add the other remaining diced green pepper,the diced onion, the three cloves of remaining smashed garlic, plus the teaspoon of garlic powder; plus the 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, the black pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp of oregano; and saute until onion and peppers are limp. Next add about 20 olives whole from the jar do not mince or cut and add the fire roasted pimento strips. salt to taste saute for another minute and set aside. After 2 1/2 hours have passed add your sofrito mixture to the simmering beans; give a good stir. Cover and cook for another hour. After your hour has passed uncover the pot and with a potato masher, Mash down two or three times only. (No more then three times). Next take a large spoon and give another good stir making sure to mix everything very good. If the liquid level in the bean pot has dropped down or has started to absorb add another one cup of water. Stir well again taste to see if they have enough seasoning (salt) Cover again and cook for another hour always on a low simmer. Total time now should be 4 1/2 hours. Uncover pot; Beans should be sort of thick not watery, They will not be real thick either, if still a little watery uncover the pot and cook for another half hour uncoverd. Stir often to be sure your beans do not stick to the bottom of the pot. Taste to see once again if seasoning is right salt and pepper and serve on top of fluffy white rice. I have a recipe for white rice posted. You can also eat the beans in a bowl with crusty cuban bread, however, they are almost always eaten on top of white rice or on the side. traditionaly almost always a fresh ham roast is served with the rice and beans or at Christmas a whole pig is roasted and served with these beans and rice. Enjoy
• 3. I will post a picture this weekend of the finished beans.

Steps:

• 1. Bring the water, beans and ham hocks OR smoked turkey to boil for at least 1 hour or until tender.
• 2. In a skillet...saute in the olive oil ,onions, peppers, garlic,chorizo and tomato sauce. about 5 mins, then add to beans.
• 3. add also the pumpkin ( calabaza) as well as the green plantain and cilantro...simmer another hour or till thickened and tender...stirring occasionally add salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Combine black beans in a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, sugar, bay leaf, sazon seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Stir in onion and bell pepper. Cover pot and simmer until flavors are well combined and onions and bell peppers are cooked thoroughly, 8 to 15 minutes.
• Remove lid and adjust seasoning.

Steps:

• Fry the onion and pepper in a little oil.
• Add the garlic and saute a little.
• Introduce a little of the bean liquid until all previous ingredients are soft.
• Add the beans with the remaining liquid.
• Add spices and simmer about 30 minutes.
• Add the vinegar just before serving.
• These are quite good when served over a bed of rice seasoned with just lime.

Steps:

• 1. Soak beans in water overnight or for at least 2 hours (the water should cover the beans and will be almost all absorbed). 2. In a pressure cooker, add the beans (any any left over water) plus 5 cups water and ham hock. 3. Put the lid on the pressure cooker and seal. Cook on high until the cooker pressurizes and then lower the heat to medium and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. 4. Remove from heat until all pressure is gone. Remove the lid. 5. Set on low heat and add the rest of the ingredients. 6. Without replacing the lid, return to heat, taste for salt and pepper, add more if needed. Set on medium for about 60 minutes until the soup is thick enough to coat a spoon. We usually serve the potaje over white rice or with a couple of slices of Cuban bread accompanied by an avocado and onion salad and a hearty glass of red wine.