Authentic Dominican Bean Recipes

DOMINICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Put beans in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot and cover them with water so there's 2 inches over them (10 cups).
• Soak overnight, but don't drain.
• Next day, cover and seal the pressure cooker (or Instant Pot) over medium heat, when the pot comes to pressure cook high pressure 20 minutes. Natural release.
• While the pressure releases, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat and add garlic, tomato paste, cilantro, red onion, pepper, bouillon cube and saute about 10 minutes, stirring.
• Open the pressure cooker when the steam releases, take 25% of the beans and liquid and transfer to the blender. Puree well then return to the pot.
• Add adobo seasoning and salt (about 1 teaspoon), or to taste.
• Add the sauteed vegetables to the beans and bring to a boil over medium heat. (In the Instant Pot use the saute button.)
• Boil uncovered over medium-low heat until the texture becomes creamy and the liquid reduces, about 30 minutes stirring often.
• Remove cilantro, pepper and onion and serve over rice. Makes 9 cups.

ABUELO PELáEZ'S FRIJOLES NEGROS (BLACK BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large pot, soak beans overnight in 10 cups of water.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil, the onion, bell pepper, garlic cloves and bay leaf to beans, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour, checking regularly and skimming the foam that forms on top.
• Meanwhile, make the sofrito. Warm remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the half onion, 1 bell pepper and 3 garlic cloves and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft. Add 1 bay leaf, cumin, oregano, black pepper and salt, and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Add the sofrito to beans. Stir in sherry vinegar, wine and olives, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened and cooked through. Remove both bay leaves, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and add sugar. Serve as soup or a side dish, or over white rice.

DOMINICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Puree half of beans in a food processor or blender with 1 cup water until smooth.
• Tie cilantro into a tight bundle with string.
• Cook onion and garlic in olive oil in a 5-6 quart pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened but not browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add tomato paste, vinegar, and 1 cup water, then bring to a boil and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
• Add pureed and whole beans, Italian frying pepper halves, cilantro, bay leaves, salt, oregano, pepper and remaining 2 cups water, then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 hours (mixture will reduce and thicken).
• Remove and discard Italian pepper halves, cilantro, and bay leaves, then serve.

HABICHUELAS ROJAS (RED BEANS, DOMINICAN STYLE)

Steps:

• Rinse the beans thoroughly and pick out any foreign matter. Place in a bowl and cover with 6 cups of cold water; let sit overnight. (Alternatively, place the beans in a saucepan with 6 cups of cold water and boil for 2 minutes; set aside for 1 hour.)
• Drain the beans and place in a large saucepan with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer at medium heat until the beans are tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make a sofritoor paste. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and the bacon until the fat is rendered. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper and tomatoes and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the diluted tomato paste and the bouquet garni. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the paste to the beans and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes. Add salt to taste, vinegar, oregano and hot pepper and cook an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the beans are very creamy.

DOMINICAN STYLE RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Presoak beans overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours in a large container with enough water to generously cover. Drain water, transfer beans to a large stockpot, and cover with 5 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, add the ham or bacon pieces, partially cover, and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of water and continue cooking for 30 to 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a sofrito: In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, and half of the onion and process to a coarse paste.
• In a small skillet, heat the oil. Add the sofrito mixture, and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, tomato, vinegar, and remaining onion to the beans and cook for 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. Use a large spoon to separate the rice and bean mixture from the sides of the pot (do not stir any further or the mixture will break up and take on a gluey consistency). The dish is done when the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy.

DOMINICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Purée half of beans in food processor with 1 cup water until smooth.
• Tie cilantro into a tight bundle with string.
• Cook onion and garlic in olive oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softeneed but not brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, vinegar, and 1 cup water, then bring to a boil and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
• Add puréed and whole beans, Cubanelle pepper halves, cilantro, bay leaves, salt, oregano, pepper, and remaining 2 cups water, then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 hours (mixture will reduce and thicken). Remove and discard Cubanelle pepper halves, cilantro, and bay leaves, then serve.