Vegetarian Recipe Spot

Frijoles Negros (Black Beans)

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black beans
• 2 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 8 cups water
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• salt to taste
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Preparation

Soak the bans with one of the green peppers in the water for 8 hours or overnight. After soaking, bring the beans, pepper and water to a boil, then immediately turn the heat to a simmer and cook, covered for 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are almost tender. Prepare a sauce, called sofrito, by combining the other green bell pepper, the onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, bay leaf and a little of the cooking water in a blender. Blend on low until the mixture is smooth. Add the sofrito to the beans. Bring to a boil again, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer.

Add salt and the wine, vinegar, and sugar. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until the bean mixture becomes thick, about 2 more hours. Add olive oil immediately before serving. Serve over steamed ric.