Habichuelas Red Beans Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Soak beans in enough water to cover overnight.
• Empty Beans into colander and wash with cold water. Discard any split/broken beans or beans that look odd in color and/or size.
• Place beans in large pot with cold water (add enough cold water to cover beans by about 3 inches).
• Cook beans on high heat until they come up to a boil.
• Reduce heat to Medium and partially cover with lid. Cook beans for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until beans start to soften stirring occasionally, and adding water as needed (some water will evaporate during cooking). Remember to always have beans covered with at about 3 inches of water.
• Meanwhile, heat a saute pan on medium/low heat. Add olive oil, Sofrito (if using), or the substituted ingredients.
• Saute for 3 minutes, then add tomato paste, Goya sazon, Chicken bouillon cubes, oregano, cumin, black pepper and Olives. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat, set aside.
• After beans have cooked for about and hour, add the chopped Calabaza or potato (optional) and sofrito with the seasonings to the beans. Mix well, add more water if needed. Cook for additional 1/2 hour on medium heat partially covered, then 1/2 hour on medium heat uncovered stirring occasionally.
• When beans are done, garnish with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.