Uncle Salvis Congri Recipes

CUBAN-STYLE CRISTIANOS Y MOROS (CONGRI)

Steps:

• Soak the beans for at least 4 hours.
• In a large stock pot add the drained beans, the onion, 4 garlic cloves, bay leaves, 1/2 bell pepper, cumin and oregano. Bring to a boil and skim off foam.
• Reduce the heat, cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for one hour or until beans are tender. Add water to keep the beans from drying out. Remove the onion, garlic, bay leaves, and bell pepper and discard.
• SOFRITO: Brown the bacon in a frying pan over medium heat. Drain the bacon. Pour off the fat from the pan except for 1 teaspoon.
• Add olive oil and remaining sofrito ingredients, cooking over medium heat until just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir the sofrito into the beans, along with the SEASONINGS. Continue simmmering until beans are very soft, about 20 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste before serving. Serve with hot cooked white rice.

CUBAN-STYLE ARROZ CONGRí

Steps:

• Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
• Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it's hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
• Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2 1/4 cups.
• Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.

EASY CONGRI

Steps:

• Cook bacon, ham, onions, green peppers and garlic in large skillet on medium-high heat until bacon is crisp.
• Add beans with their liquid, the rice, oregano and black pepper; stir. Bring to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min., stirring occasionally.

CONGRI (CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE)

Steps:

• Begin by checking the beans for any stones. You can do this by hand or place the beans in water and the rocks will sink to the bottom of the bowl.
• Once you've checked the beans for any stones, rinse them and then place them in the instant pot. Cover the beans with 7 cups of water. Add 1/2 green bell pepper, close the lid, and press the "pressure cook" function. Seal the valve and cook for 45 minutes.
• Place the beans and liquid into a pot with high sides. Add the cumin, bay leaf, sofrito, recaito, chicken bouillion powder, vinegar, vino seco, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Discard the green bell pepper or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Cook the beans over high heat and let it come to a rapid boil.
• Once the beans come to a boil, stir in the rice. Check for seasoning, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 25-30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover and stir. Cover again and let it cook until the rice is perfectly fluffy. Finally, check for seasoning and enjoy!

MOROS CON CRISTIANOS (CONGRí) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a pressure cooker on medium heat, saute diced pork belly until pieces are crunchy and have released all the grease.
• Increase heat to medium-high, add sausage and bacon, and cook thoroughly. Once cooked through, add the green pepper, fry, and add onions and stir until transparent.
• Lower heat to Medium, add crushed garlic and rice, and mix thoroughly. To this add cumin, oregano, and any other desired spices.
• Next, add the black beans (without draining), 2 cups of water, bay leaf, and vinegar and mix. Season with salt or seasoning as necessary.
• Cover and cook on medium for 15-20 minutes, then let rest.
• Serve warm.

UNCLE SALVI'S CONGRI

Steps:

• Cut bacon into small bits (1/2 inch) and fry in pot until brown.
• Dice onion and green pepper, put in with bacon and stir fry.
• Add garlic, onion powder, salt, cumin and vinegar.
• Stir in kitchen bouquet.
• Add the rice and fry with mixture.
• Add 5 cups of water and olive oil plus bay leaf.
• Add the black beans and bring to a boil.
• Simmer with lid on for 20 minutes.
• Take off stove and simmer until moist.