Congri cubano

8 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½poundsRed beans
½Green bell pepper
1mediumOnion; quartered
1tablespoonOlive oil
½Green bell pepper; seeded and diced
1largeOnion; diced
4clovesGarlic; minced
½cupTomato sauce
½teaspoonFresh oregano
2cupsConverted rice
1Bay leaf

Directions

FORMATTED BY LISA CRAWFORD

FOR THE BEANS

FOR THE SOFRITO

TO FINISH THE DISH

Soak the beans overnight with enough water to cover by 3 inches.

Discard the soaking water. Add the green pepper, onion and 6 cups of fresh water to the bean pot, bring to a boil and turn down the heat.

Cook at very low heat until beans are cooked through, about 1½ to 2 hours. Drain the beans and reserve cooking liquid. This can be done ahead. (Or, open 2 cans red beans, rinse and drain). To make the sofrito, heat olive oil in a large skillet with cover. Add pepper and onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato sauce and oregano, stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the rice to the skillet and stir. Add the bay leaf. Measure 4 cups of beans the bean cooking liquid and add to the rice.( if using canned beans add water) Continue to stir at high heat until it comes to a boil. Turn heat down to simmer, add cooked beans, stir very gently, cover skillet and cook for 20 minutes.

Nutritional info per serving: 306 cal; 11g pro, 58g vcarb, 4g fat (11%), 1.5g fiber, 2 mg chol, 136g sodium Exchanges: .9 veg, 3½ bread, .5meat, ½ fat

Source: Adapted from Kitchen Tropicale, Miami Herald, 9/28/95