Yucatan Black Bean Dinner Recipes

YUCATAN BLACK BEAN DINNER

Steps:

• The Beans: Rinse the beans, then scoop them into a large (6-quart) pot (preferably a Dutch oven or Mexican earthenware olla) and add 2 quarts water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered for 1 hour.
• The Pork: While the beans are cooking, sprinkle the pork liberally with salt.
• In a very large (12-inch) skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the lard or oil over medium-high, and brown the pork on all sides in an uncrowded layer-it'll take about 10 minutes. (With a smaller skillet you'll have to brown the pork in 2 batches.)
• Remove the pork to a plate and set the pan aside.
• When the beans have cooked an hour, add the pork to the pot, along with more water, if necessary, so that everything is submerged.
• Partially cover the pot and continue simmering, until meat and beans are tender, about an hour more.
• The Tomato-Habanero Sauce: Return the pork-frying skillet to medium heat and drizzle in a little more lard or oil, if necessary, to coat the bottom.
• Add half of the sliced onion and fry until golden, about 7 minutes.
• In a blender, coarsely puree the tomatoes and the juices.
• Now, either cut a slit in the side of the habanero(s)-this will give you some habanero fruity flavor without much heat-or cut the habanero(s) in half.
• Add to the onions along with the tomato puree, then simmer, partially covered, stirring often for 10 minutes or so, until reduced to the consistency of a thick sauce (it shouldn't be dry).
• Taste and season with salt, usually 1 teaspoon.
• Finishing the beans: When the beans are tender, scrape half the tomato sauce into them, add a little more water to the pot, if necessary, to ensure that the pork and beans are nicely covered with liquid.
• Taste and season the beans with salt, usually about 1 ½ teaspoons.
• With a large spoon, carefully remove the pork from the beans and transfer it to an ovenproof dish, cover with foil and keep warm in a low oven.
• Pour the beans into a colander set over a large bowl, return the beans to the pot and measure 2 ½ cups of the broth into a saucepan to use for the rice.
• Return the remaining bean broth to the beans.
• There should still be enough broth to yield somewhat soupy beans; if not add more water.
• The rice: Add ½ teaspoon salt to the pan of bean broth and set over medium heat.
• In a medium-size (3-quart) saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of the lard or oil over medium.
• Add the rice and remaining onion and cook, stirring regularly, until the rice turns from translucent to milky-white, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook a minute longer, then pour in the hot bean broth.
• Stir once, scrape down any rice kernels clinging to the side of the pan, cover and cook over medium-low for about 15 minutes; uncover and check a grain of rice-it should be nearly cooked through.
• If the rice is just about ready, turn off the heat, re-cover and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes longer to complete the cooking.
• If the rice seems far from done, continue cooking for 5 minutes or so, retest, then turn off the heat and let stand for a few minutes more.
• Serving: When you're ready to serve, reheat the tomato sauce and remove the habanero chilies.
• Ladle the beans into six small bowls.
• Spoon the rice onto each of 6 large warm dinner plate and nestle the pork in the center.
• Spoon a little of the warm sauce onto one side of each plate.
• Onto the other side, arrange a few slices of avocado.
• Garnish with sprigs of cilantro.
• Serve right away, passing the lime wedges and chopped xnipec salsa, if you wish.
• •To make about a cup of xnipec salsa:.
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped.
• 1 tablespoons fresh lime or sour orange juice.
• 6 radishes, chopped into small dice or matchsticks.
• ½ fresh habanero chili, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped.
• A dozen or so large sprigs of cilantro, chopped.
• Salt, about ½ teaspoon.
• Scoop the onion into a strainer and rinse under cold water. Shake off as much water as possible, then transfer to a small bowl and stir in the juice. Add the remaining ingredients, season with salt, usually about ½ teaspoon, and it's ready.

CUBAN-STYLE BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans with the baking soda in 10 cups of water for about 3 hours. Rinse and drain.
• Add the beans to a Dutch oven and add 10 cups fresh water, along with the olive oil, cumin, oregano, sugar, vinegar, cilantro stems, bay leaves and onion. Simmer until the beans are soft, about 2 hours. Add 2 teaspoons of salt (or more to taste) and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

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.

MEXICAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large pot over medium heat until crisp, stirring frequently.
• Remove bacon and chop coarsely.
• Leave approximately 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in pan and add chopped bacon, onion, garlic, & bay leaf.
• When onion is tender, add tomatoes and seasonings and stir until aromatic.
• Add beans and broth.
• Cook at a slow boil until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours (you may also use a slow cooker on low-med heat for this last step).
• Serve with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese on top.