Moors And Christians Moros Y Cristianos Recipes

MOORS AND CHRISTIANS (MOROS Y CRISTIANOS)

Steps:

• Cooking the Beans
• Rinse and pick over the beans. Place in a medium heavy-bottomed pot with 2 1/2 quarts water, the onion, bell pepper, ajíes or cubanelle pepper, and the ham hock, if using, and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until the beans are tender but still retain their shape, about 2 hours. Drain, reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid. Discard the vegetables and ham hock; you should have 2 cups cooked beans.
• Finishing the Dish
• Place the rice in a medium bowl, cover with cold tap water, and swirl the rice, then drain, holding the rice in place with one hand. Repeat the process as many times as necessary until the water runs clear. Drain well in a sieve or strainer. Heat the oil in the heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, green pepper, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf and sauté until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir to coat thoroughly. Add the beans and the reserved bean cooking liquid, then add the vinegar, sherry, and salt. Mix well and taste for seasoning; add a dash more of sherry, vinegar, and/or spices if needed. The cooking liquid should be flavorful. Cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid is absorbed and small craters have formed on the surface of the rice. Fluff the rice slightly with a kitchen fork, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, and cook, tightly covered, for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let stand, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes before serving.

RED BEANS AND RICE (MOORS AND CHRISTIANS): MOROS Y CRISTIANOS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, combine the beans with the Italian pepper and a bay leaf. Cover with water, passing the beans by 2 inches. Boil covered until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain, reserving 3 cups of the cooking liquid.
• In a large casserole, render the fat from the bacon and ham. Add olive oil and saute the onions, pepper, and garlic until translucent. Add tomato paste and caramelize. Add the beans, the cooking liquid, oregano, cumin, and rice. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook at very low heat for about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

MOORS AND CHRISTIANS RICE (WHITE RICE AND BLACK BEANS): MOROS Y CRISTIANOS

Steps:

• Cooking the beans: Wash the beans and cook in a large kettle with the peeled whole onion, the cachucha peppers, and the cored and seeded green pepper. Cook over moderate heat until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. Make sure the beans retain their shape; do not overcook. Drain and reserve 4 cups of the cooking liquid and 2 cups of cooked beans. Wash the rice in cold water until the water runs clear, drain, and set aside.
• Cooking the rice and beans: In a heavy-bottomed 4-quart pot, heat the oil over medium heat and saute the diced bacon until golden brown. Add the onion, green pepper, cumin, oregano and bay leaf. Saute, stirring for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir until all the grains are coated with oil and bacon grease. Add the reserved 2 cups of beans and the 4 cups cooking liquid, then add vinegar, sherry, and salt. Mix well, taste, and correct seasonings. Cook uncovered until all the liquid evaporates, you will see small air bubbles forming on the surface of the rice. Fluff the rice slightly with a kitchen fork. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, uncovered, at least 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

BASBOOSA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the semolina flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, yogurt, oil, coconut, and baking powder. Set aside for 30 minutes.
• In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the water, 1 3/4 cups sugar, and rosewater. Bring to a boil, and boil for 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the semolina batter into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Slice into squares or diamonds, and place on almond half onto each piece.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Switch the oven setting to broil, and broil until the top is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, and pour the syrup over the squares. Serve warm.

MOROS Y CRISTIANOS (CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and vinegar. Add cumin, salt, thyme, pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Cook for 3 minutes.
• Add black beans, then stir in white rice. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and all liquid has been absorbed, about 25 minutes; do not lift the cover during the cook time.

MOROS Y CRISTIANOS

Steps:

• Use a large, eight-quart covered stockpot. Heat the olive oil over low-medium heat, then add the onion and garlic pepper and keep stirring them until they are tender. Add garlic and fry another minute or two. Add the tomato paste, black beans, oregano, cumin, bay leaf and vinegar. Cook for about five minutes, stirring gently.
• Add the chicken stock and rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 20 to 30 minutes, or until rice is fully cooked.
• Finally, add salt and pepper until it tastes just right. Remove the bay leaf, serve hot.