Cuban Black Beans Recipe
Serves: 6-8
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried black beans* (see bottom of page for how to make with precooked beans)
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced, divided
  • 2 Tablespoons unrefined, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • pinch of smoked paprika
  • 2-3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • ½ Tablespoon cane sugar, brown sugar or coconut sugar
Instructions
  1. Soak beans with lots of cold water at room temperature for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse well.
  2. Place drained beans in a pot with half the green pepper and 1 clove of garlic. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook beans partially covered until tender, about 1-1 ½ hours. While beans are cooking, there should be enough water to just cover the beans. Add a little more if necessary. Maintain a simmer and not a boil so the beans cook evenly and maintain their shape.
  3. Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the remaining bell pepper, 4 cloves minced garlic and onion. Cook over medium heat until tender. Stir in the spices, salt and pepper and cook until fragrant, another minute or two.
  4. Add the pepper-onion mixture to the cooked beans and simmer for 5-10 minutes. If broth is too liquidy, cook until desired consistency is reached. Add the vinegar to taste and the sugar. Taste for salt and season accordingly.
  5. Cover and refrigerate overnight (reheat the next day) or serve immediately.
Notes
*To make using canned black beans: Saute garlic, pepper and onion in oil in a medium pot until tender. Add spices, salt and pepper and sauté until fragrant. Add 3 15-ounce cans of black beans PLUS the liquid in the can. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, partially covered. Finish with vinegar and sugar. Taste for seasonings.
Recipe by Pamela Salzman at https://pamelasalzman.com/cuban-black-beans-recipe/