Black beans are one of the essential ingredients in Latin cuisine. They are so easy to make from scratch and the result is a dish full of bold flavors. Beans are a legume that is so rich, healthy, and packed with good nutrients like fiber and iron.
When I miss my country, there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of black beans. The smell that comes out of the pot while cooking is so delicious plus its rich flavor is like a taste of home. Today I had my mother over and she thought me how to make a delicious pot of black beans the way she learned to make them in our country Guatemala.
Ingredients:
1 kg of dry black beans
5 cloves of garlic (not peeled, just smashed)
¼ cup of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
½ onion finely chopped
Salt
Preparation:
First you need to prepare ahead of time and soak the beans overnight. Place the dry beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them completely (soaking the beans will help hydrate them and reduce the cooking time plus it will be easier to digest).
Place the beans in a large pot and cover with enough water and five cloves of garlic (whole and unpeeled). Periodically check the pot to ensure the beans are not drying out and if necessary, add more hot water to cover them back up. Cook for about 3.5 hours or until soft. Remove the garlics from the pot.
**If using a pressure cooker cook for about 25 minutes, open the pot when done and check if there is enough liquid, if not add very hot water and stir.
In a separate pot heat a generous amount of olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until very light brown, then incorporate the onion, and sauté until tender.
When the onion and garlic are ready add the cooked beans to the pot. Cook for about 10-15 additional minutes and stir constantly. At this moment, add the salt and season accordingly.
Note: Black beans are great for freezing. Make a large pot and freeze them in individual airtight containers, make sure that the beans are completely cool before freezing. To thaw just transfer to the fridge overnight and use as desired.
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