Cuban Black Beans

These beans are traditionally served over cooked rice.

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 mins   Cook Time: 2 hrs + 2 hrs  

Ingredients

3 cups water
6 oz dried black beans (about 1 cup)
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, optional
1 bay leaf
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
dash of freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Directions

Pick over and rinse beans. Put beans & water in a 3-qt saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 2 hours.

Heat oil and sauté green pepper, onion, and garlic until onion is tender. Stir them into the beans, along with the (optional) coconut milk. Add enough water to cover beans, if necessary. Heat to boiling, reduce heat to just a simmer. Stir in bay leaf, oregano, cumin and pepper. Cover loosely and simmer until beans are tender, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Remove bay leaf and season to taste with salt.

Note: If beans give you gas, you can reduce that effect by pouring off the water the beans are soaked in and replacing it with fresh water, but you lose some flavor that way.

Categories: Beans, Grains & Rice, Diabetic, Low-Fat, Non-Dairy, Other Side Dishes, Side Dishes, Special Diets, Vegan, Vegetarian

Tags: Cuban

Submitted by: whaledancer on May 3, 2010