Beans

Puerto Rican Red Beans

8 servings

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled

2 hot chili peppers (Serrano, Anaheim), finely diced

1 small red onion, finely diced

1/2 cup packed finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

4 15-ounce cans red kidney beans, rinsed (see Dried Bean Variation)

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

1-3 cups water

Directions:

Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add garlic, chili peppers, onion and cilantro and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add beans, tomato sauce, oregano, pepper and salt; stir to combine.

Add 1 to 3 cups water. (Usually the beans are covered by at least 1 inch of water. The more “wet” you like your beans, the more water you should add.) Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.

Serve sprinkled with cilantro, if desired.

Dried Bean Variation: To use dried beans instead of canned beans, sort 1 pound red kidney beans, discarding any debris. overnight soak: Rinse beans and place in a large bowl. Cover with cold water and let soak for at least 8 hours or overnight; drain. quick soak: Rinse beans and place in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.  

You can serve with the Spanish rice below, I stole the recipe from someone who used to work at Chipotle…yum, eat the rice in moderation.

*** 221 calories; 3 g fat

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

4 servings

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup basmati rice

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

zest from one lime

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Add the oil to a sauce pan and heat on low. Add the garlic and rice to the oil and sauté for 2 minutes on medium heat stirring frequently.

Add the chicken broth, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes or according to rice package directions.

When the rice is done, add lime zest and chopped cilantro and stir to mix in. Serve immediately.