Habichuelas Rojas Red Beans Dominican Style Food

DOMINICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Put beans in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot and cover them with water so there's 2 inches over them (10 cups).
• Soak overnight, but don't drain.
• Next day, cover and seal the pressure cooker (or Instant Pot) over medium heat, when the pot comes to pressure cook high pressure 20 minutes. Natural release.
• While the pressure releases, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat and add garlic, tomato paste, cilantro, red onion, pepper, bouillon cube and saute about 10 minutes, stirring.
• Open the pressure cooker when the steam releases, take 25% of the beans and liquid and transfer to the blender. Puree well then return to the pot.
• Add adobo seasoning and salt (about 1 teaspoon), or to taste.
• Add the sauteed vegetables to the beans and bring to a boil over medium heat. (In the Instant Pot use the saute button.)
• Boil uncovered over medium-low heat until the texture becomes creamy and the liquid reduces, about 30 minutes stirring often.
• Remove cilantro, pepper and onion and serve over rice. Makes 9 cups.

HABICHUELAS GUISADAS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add tomato sauce, sofrito, sazon, and pepper. Cook, stirring for about 3 minutes. Stir in beans, water, and salt. Increase heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

HABICHUELAS ROJAS (RED BEANS, DOMINICAN STYLE)

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.

DOMINICAN BEAN STEW / HABICHUELAS ROJAS GUISADAS

Steps:

• Do-ahead tip: Buy a small bag of uncooked beans and put half of the bag in a large pot, fill with water almost to the top, simmer over medium-low heat for 3-4 hours or test for doneness (hold one between your fingers and squeeze, if it easily mashes without much pressure they're done.) Don't drain and you can keep them in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 days or you can freeze them for up to a month and thaw completely before using. These taste so much better than the canned ones but it's not going to hurt if you use those for a shortcut. If you are using canned beans it should be 2 cans.
• In a pot heat the oil. Add oregano, onion, garlic, tomato paste, peppers, salt and herbs. Stir and add two tablespoons of water. Add the beans and simmer. When the water has almost evaporated add the chicken stock, cilantro and two more tablespoons of water, stir.
• Add the remaining water mashing the beans over heat. Boil at medium heat until it reaches a creamy consistency. Remove cilantro before serving. Adjust salt to taste.
• Serve over white rice.

RICE WITH BEANS (MORO DE HABICHUELAS)

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon cubes, sazon, oregano, adobo and black pepper for about 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to release aroma.
• Add the beans with it's liquid and water. When the water begins to boil, add the rice, stirring occasionally to avoid from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Once the rice has soaked up all the water and begins to dry up, lower the heat to low. Cover and let cook for 25 minutes. Then, stir the rice carefully and cover for an additional 5 minutes.
• Serve warm with a side of your choice.

HABICHUELAS GUISADAS (PUERTO RICAN STEWED BEANS)

Steps:

• In a medium sized sauce pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped ham and saute for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to caramelize.
• Add the sofrito and Sazon seasoning. Saute for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
• Add the tomato sauce, oregano, bay leaves, and cumin. Saute for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken stock, beans (with their liquid), chopped potato, pumpkin or carrot, olives, and chopped cilantro. Cover and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the flavors to meld, the beans to become really tender, and the pumpkin/carrots to cook. The mixture should be very creamy and not soupy.
• Check for seasoning, and add Adobo or salt if needed.
• Serve over white or yellow rice, with an extra sprinkle of cilantro, if desired.

DOMINICAN STYLE RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Presoak beans overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours in a large container with enough water to generously cover. Drain water, transfer beans to a large stockpot, and cover with 5 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, add the ham or bacon pieces, partially cover, and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of water and continue cooking for 30 to 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a sofrito: In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, and half of the onion and process to a coarse paste.
• In a small skillet, heat the oil. Add the sofrito mixture, and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, tomato, vinegar, and remaining onion to the beans and cook for 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes. Use a large spoon to separate the rice and bean mixture from the sides of the pot (do not stir any further or the mixture will break up and take on a gluey consistency). The dish is done when the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy.