Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice Recipe

Introduction

Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice is a flavorful and hearty dish that brings the vibrant tastes of Cuba to your kitchen. This recipe combines black beans, rice, and a variety of spices and vegetables to create a delicious and nutritious meal. It’s perfect for a family dinner, a side dish at a barbecue, or as a filling for burritos or tacos. The best part? It’s easy to make and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

To make this delicious Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice, gather the following ingredients:

Essential Ingredients:

• Black Beans: 1 cup dried or 2 cans, drained and rinsed
• White Rice: 1 cup
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Onion: 1 medium, chopped
• Bell Pepper: 1, chopped (red, green, or yellow)
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
• Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
• Cumin: 1 teaspoon
• Oregano: 1 teaspoon
• Bay Leaf: 1
• Vegetable Broth: 2 cups
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Lime Juice: from 1 lime
• Fresh Cilantro: for garnish

Optional Additions for Extra Flavor:

• Jalapeno: 1, chopped for added heat
• Corn Kernels: 1 cup, for a touch of sweetness
• Chorizo: 1/2 cup, cooked and crumbled for a meaty option
• Avocado: sliced, for topping

Preparation Steps

Prepping the Ingredients

1. Soak the Beans: If using dried black beans, soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
2. Chop Vegetables: Prepare the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and any optional ingredients like jalapeno or corn.

Cooking the Black Beans

1. Cook the Beans: In a large pot, cover the soaked beans with water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 1-1.5 hours until tender. Drain and set aside.

Cooking Instructions

Cooking the Rice

1. Cook the Rice: In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Sautéing the Vegetables

1. Heat Olive Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Cook Onion and Bell Pepper: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Combining Ingredients

Mixing the Rice and Beans

1. Combine in Skillet: Add the cooked black beans to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the tomato paste and cooked rice.
2. Season: Add salt and black pepper to taste. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of vegetable broth.

Adding Spices and Seasonings

1. Finish with Lime: Remove the bay leaf and stir in the lime juice. Adjust seasonings as needed.

Finishing Touches

Garnishing the Dish

1. Garnish: Top with fresh cilantro and any optional toppings like avocado slices or cooked chorizo.

Adjusting Seasonings

1. Taste and Adjust: Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, and lime juice to your preference.

Serving Suggestions

Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice is versatile and pairs well with many dishes:

• Best Ways to Serve: Serve as a main dish with a side salad or as a side dish with grilled meats or fish.
• Pairings and Beverages: Pair with a cold beer, a glass of white wine, or a refreshing mojito. For non-alcoholic options, try iced tea or sparkling water with lime.

Health Benefits

This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious:

• Nutritional Information: High in protein and fiber from the black beans, and rich in vitamins from the vegetables.
• Benefits of Main Ingredients: Black beans are a great source of plant-based protein and antioxidants. Rice provides energy and essential nutrients.

Tips for Perfect Black Bean Rice

• Ensuring the Best Texture: Make sure to cook the rice until it’s just tender and not mushy. Rinse the beans well if using canned to remove excess sodium.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t overcook the vegetables; they should be tender but still have some bite. Avoid adding too much liquid when combining the ingredients.

Alternative Ingredients

For those with dietary preferences or restrictions:

• Substitutes for Rice: Use quinoa, cauliflower rice, or brown rice for different textures and nutritional profiles.
• Vegan and Gluten-Free Options: This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free, but always check ingredient labels to be sure.

Storing and Reheating

To keep your dish fresh:

• Best Practices for Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• How to Reheat Without Losing Flavor and Texture: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of vegetable broth or water to prevent drying out. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.

Yield: 5

Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice Recipe

Print

Cuban Inspired Black Bean Rice is a flavorful and hearty dish that brings the vibrant tastes of Cuba to your kitchen. This recipe combines black beans, rice, and a variety of spices and vegetables to create a delicious and nutritious meal. It’s perfect for a family dinner, a side dish at a barbecue, or as a filling for burritos or tacos. The best part? It's easy to make and packed with flavor.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 can (400 g) Black Beans
• Water *read ‘Method 1’
• 1/2-1 teaspoon Salt *alter the amount, but it shouldn’t be too salty
• 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil *OR Oil of your choice
• 1 Onion *finely chopped OR cut into small pieces
• 2 cloves Garlic *finely chopped
• 1 Capsicum *Red OR Green, OR 1/2 of each
• *Note: You can add 100g Bacon, see ‘Step 3’
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground Paprika
• 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Chilli *optional
• 2 cups (180 ml) cup) Long Grain Rice
• 1 Bay Leaf

Instructions

1. Drain canned Black Beans and save the black liquid in a measuring jug. Add Water to make 450ml in total. Add Salt to the liquid and season it. *Note: If you cooked Dry Black Beans from scratch, use the black water.
2. Heat Olive Oil in a frying pan, cook Onion and Garlic until soft, then add Capsicum and all spices, and mix well. Set aside and cool. *Note: Capsicum doesn’t need to be soft.
3. *Optional Bacon: If you prefer, you can add 100g Bacon. Cut into small pieces and cook with Vegetables. As Bacon is salty, you need to alter the amount of Salt in ‘Step 1’. *Note: See the photo below.
4. Wash Rice, drain, and place in rice cooker’s inner pot. Add the black water mixture, spread the stir-fried Vegetables and drained Black Beans, but DO NOT stir. Add Bay Leaf, and press COOK/START button to start cooking.
5. When the Rice is cooked and steamed, gently mix to combine. *Note: Add extra Salt if required. 1-2 tablespoon Lemon Juice can be added.