Sofrito Beans Recipes

Steps:

• Cut 1 green pepper into 1-inch squares. Smash and peel 4 of the garlic cloves. Put the green pepper and garlic into a large pot with the beans, ham hock, bay leaves and 1 tablespoon salt. Add 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and simmer until the beans are tender, an hour or more.
• Meanwhile, make a sofrito. Cut the remaining ½ green pepper into ¼-inch dice. Peel and finely chop the remaining garlic. Heat the olive oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the green pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeño (leave out the seeds if you don't want it too spicy), oregano, cumin, black pepper and 2 teaspoons salt and stir for another minute. Pour in the vinegar and scrape any browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. This is your sofrito.
• When the beans are cooked, discard the bay leaf. Remove and set aside the ham hock and let it cool. Transfer 1 cup of beans to small bowl, mash them into a paste with the back of a fork and return to the pot. Add the sofrito, then the sugar. Pull the meat from the ham hock, leaving behind any white sinew or gristle. Chop the ham into ½-inch pieces and return it to the bean pot.
• Stir the beans well and bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes or so, skimming any foam from the top. Taste for salt and serve with white rice.

Steps:

• Separate and peel garlic cloves. Place garlic and remaining ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. , Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week. May also be frozen in small portions in resealable freezer bags for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet.
• Add next 7 ingredients.
• Cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and sauce.
• Cook another 5 minutes.
• Stir in beans.
• Another 5 minutes!
• Serve over a mound of rice.

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine green peppers, red peppers ajies dulces, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Add cilantro, recao, salt, and pepper. Process to the consistency of semi-chunky salsa (not watery). Place in a resealable plastic freezer bag, and use as needed, or freeze in portions.

Steps:

• Stir together water, rice, and sazón seasoning in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in hominy, cilantro, and green onions.
• Meanwhile, fill a large saucepan halfway with cold water. Bring to a boil. Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower eggs into water. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Boil 8 minutes for jammy yolks. Remove from water with a slotted spoon and let cool slightly. When just cool enough to handle, gently tap eggs on the counter and carefully peel off shells. Cut eggs in half.
• Stir together black beans, sofrito, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
• Divide rice and bean mixtures between 6 bowls. Top with eggs and sprinkle with black pepper.