Dominican Moro De Habichuelas Negras ( Rice and Beans)

Kitty Kat Cook's Note:

Similar to Puerto Rican and Cuban, rice and beans. This is the version from the Dominican Republic. This is a staple dish for Christmas. We also make the same with red kidney beans. Try to boil your own beans instead of using the canned type. I find it makes a great difference. Just put about 2-3 cups of raw beans in 4-5 cups of water and boil over very low heat for 4-6 hours until the bean can be easily be squeezed between your fingers. Then you can freeze or refrigerate them in its own water. When using them for the rice use the same water they were boiled in, much more flavorful.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 5

• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups water (the water you boiled the beans in if possible)
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (not sauce)
• 1/4 cup cubanel green peppers or 1/4 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, mashed (or pressed)
• 1 sprig fresh cilantro (with stem)
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 chicken bouillon cubes or 1 chicken stock cube
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the garlic, onions, oregano, pepper, parsley, and salt. Sautee for a minute then add the bouillon, stir until dissolved. Add the tomato paste and stir until heated.
2. Add the beans and stir with your base. Heat for about a minute stirring constantly. Don't let it stick or burn. Increase heat to maximum and carefully add 1 cup of the water and allow it to simmer. When it starts to simmer, add the rice, stir and add the rest of the water. (at this point you should test for salt, it should be a bit saltier than you'd prefer because the beans and rice will absorb most of it). Bring to a boil.
3. When it starts to boil reduce heat to the lowest possible and cover with a lid.
4. After 15 minutes remove the lid, most of the water should have been reduced. Throw in the whole spring of cilantro and give everything a good stir from bottom to top. Cover again and let it cook for 10-15 more minutes.

Reviews

[Redsie]

Made for Spring PAC 2008 - This was wonderful!! My dbf cooked the beans from scratch and it did make a wonderful difference! Thanks Kitty for a great recipe! :)

[DiaMorena]

This recipe was excellent. It took me back to my time spent in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. It was sooooo good (even with the canned beans).