Florida Beans and Rice

From The Best of the Best from America Cookbook by Gwen McKee & Barbara Mosely, c. 2008.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb dried black beans, washed and drained
• 6  cups water
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 1  large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1  green bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, coarsely chopped
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 2  bay leaves
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  smoked ham bone (optional)
• 1  slice bacon, minced
• 1⁄4 cup wine vinegar
•  cooked yellow rice
• 1  bunch scallion, chopped

Directions

1. Cover beans with water. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover pan and let stand for 1 hour.
2. Heat olive oil in skillet. Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add to beans, Add bay leaves, salt, pepper, han bone, and bacon. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 2 hours, or until tender, adding more water if necessary. Remove bay leaves and add wine vinegar. Serve with yellow rice, and ganish with scallions.
3. VARIATION: This dish can be improved through the use of any flavorful stock (chicken, ham, vegetables, dry white wine, etc.), rather than the water. Also, for added flavor, as dish simmers, consider adding 1/2 cup sliced, pimiento-stuffed olives, 1 teaspoon ground oregano, and/or 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin.
4. NOTE: To cook yellow rice, just cook rice as you would normally do, but add a drop or 2 of yellow food color. In Key West, most cooks use an inexpensive condiment called BIJOL, which gives rice a rich yellow color.