Maida Heatters Cuban Black Beans And Rice Recipes

MAIDA HEATTER'S CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Pick over the beans carefully to remove any foreign particles. Rinse well in several changes of cold water.
• Put the beans in a bowl with the six cups of cold water. Cover and let stand overnight.
• Drain the beans, reserving the water in which they soaked. Measure the water and add enough additional water to make eight cups.
• Place the beans, water and ham hocks in a small kettle or large saucepan and bring to the boil. Cook slowly, uncovered, skimming the surface as necessary to remove any foam. The beans should cook until tender, four to six hours.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet and add the onions and green peppers. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is wilted. Add the garlic and cook briefly, stirring. After the beans have cooked about two hours, add the mixture to the beans. Add the bay leaves, pepper flakes, vinegar, salt and pepper.
• When the beans are almost tender, uncover and continue cooking 30 minutes.
• Remove the ham hocks. When they are cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skin, fat, bones and gristle. Shred the meat and return it to the beans. Remove the bay leaves. Add the cayenne pepper and Tabasco.
• This dish improves if cooked one day in advance. When ready to serve, heat the bean mixture thoroughly. Just before serving, stir in the rum. Serve with rice on the side or spoon a portion of the bean mixture over individual servings of rice. Add the onions according to taste.

CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND CUMIN SCENTED RICE

Steps:

• Pick over beans, discarding any shriveled ones of foreign particles. Wash well and soak, covered in water, for 4 hours. Drain beans and place in 4 quarts of water in a soup pot. Add ham hock to the beans. Bring rapidly to a boil. Reduce heat to moderate and simmer beans until tender, about 35 to 45 minutes.
• In a saute pan, heat 1 and 1/3 cups olive oil. Add the chopped onions and garlic to the pan and saute over low heat. Add the chopped chiles and season with salt and pepper. Add the bay leaves and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add 1 cup of drained black beans to the onion mixture in the saute pan, and mash thoroughly with rest of the ingredients in the skillet. Stir in the sugar and the dried oregano.
• Add the bean and onion mixture to the bean pot. Cover, and simmer for 1 hour, at moderate heat. Add red wine, vinegar, 4 teaspoons dried oregano and cumin. Uncover and cook until sauce thickens. Serve hot.
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 3 cups uncooked basmati rice
• 2 small limes, juiced
• 6 cups cold water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Heat butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. When butter is melted, add cumin seeds and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes.
• Turn the heat to high and add the lime juice, water and salt. Mix well. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat and cook covered on low for 15 minutes until water evaporates.

CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot cover beans with water and boil for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand for one hour.
• Drain water and cover with fresh water (6 cups).
• In a skillet saute the onions, bell pepper and garlic in oil for 5 minutes, until tender.
• Add onion mixture and all remaining ingredients, except the red wine vinegar, to the beans and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to simmer covered for 2 hours, until beans are tender.
• Add more water if necessary.
• At the last minute add the red wine vinegar, just before serving.
• Serve with 2 cups of cooked rice.
• Top with chopped green onions, chopped hard boiled eggs or sour cream.

RICE FOR BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in several changes of cold water until the water remains clear.
• Bring the four quarts of water to the boil and add the salt and lemon juice. Add the rice a handful at a time. Stir the rice mixture until the water reaches the boiling point. Cook, uncovered, for about 17 minutes or until the rice is tender. Drain immediately in a sieve.
• Heat the butter in the pot in which the rice cooked. Add the rice and cover with a towel. Cover the towel with the pot's lid. Place the rice over the lowest heat possible and let stand about 20 minutes. Carefully stir the rice occasionally to keep the grains separate.