Puerto Rican Red Beans and Rice

truebrit's Note:

When we lived in Puerto Rico, this was a favorite meal. We're back in the States now, but when I make Red Beans and Rice it transports me back to La Isla Del Encanto! It can be eaten as a meal itself or with a simple salad.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1/2 cup chopped lean ham
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chorizo sausage, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 (19 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed
• 1 (8 ounce) can unsalted tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Over medium heat, heat oil in a large saucepan.
2. Add ham, chorizo, onion and green pepper, garlic and cumin.
3. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
4. Add beans, tomato sauce and Tabasco sauce.
5. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Add in remaining ingredients and 4 cups water.
7. Bring to boil.
8. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender.

Reviews

[Dawn]

Just as your family got hooked, so did mine. I love this dish, it is authentic, easy to make, and the left overs are fantastic. Once again, when I heated up my lunch at work, my co-workers, enticed by the aroma, gathered around to see what I was eating. If you like spice, try this dish.

[Chef #0]

Excellent, easy to make and the flavor is equal to what is served at restaurants here in Puerto Rico.

[JanuaryBride]

Good stuff! I changed the recipe up a bit to make it vegan and didn't sacrifice any flavor...used a soy chorizo and then used a couple tablespoons of vegan bacon bits instead of ham which provided that smoky flavor. In the end I added I can of diced tomatoes. . .juice and all. It tasted a lot like my chorizo chili which I love.