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La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

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Home » Beans » Quick Cuban Style Black Beans~ Tasting Latin American

Quick Cuban Style Black Beans~ Tasting Latin American

January 18, 20152 Comments

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A few years ago I began teaching Mexican cooking classes at the local kitchen store. I also became very interested in learning some of the most popular dishes of Latin America. Besides Mexican food, Puerto Rican and Cuban food are also some of my favorites. The recipes are similar in ingredients when it comes to all three cuisines, with a few differences. Unlike many Mexican dishes, Cuban and Puerto Rican recipes will almost never include chile peppers in their ingredients.  For a while, I just could not get passed the idea of cooking without any chile peppers, lol! But, for a few years now, I often prepare meals and donate them to friends in need or groups of volunteers that help with local community projects.  And for those recipes, I have learned to scale way back on the chile peppers. It’s just my way of trying to help when I can and volunteer my time. As many of you know, I have been blessed with my dream job of working from home, cooking  and developing recipes  I love for the Hispanic Kitchen site.  It has been the most rewarding experience and continues to be a great blessing in my life. It’s the Hispanic Kitchen that inspired me to step outside my Mexican comfort zone and try my hand at a few popular Cuban dishes.  My friend Norma Torres, who is an awesome chef, blogger and recipe developer for Hispanic Kitchen as well prepares these most delicious Puerto Rican and Cuban recipes.

Quick Cuban Style Black Beans
Quick Cuban Style Black Beans

The Hispanic Kitchen site literally have thousands of delicious recipes posted from all over Latin America, Spain and the Caribbean.  Foods from Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia are all equally delicious and ere definitely on my “To Try” list! For today’s post I am starting out with a quick and simple recipe for black beans. I prepared my first recipe for Ropa Vieja,(you can find recipe on my blog) which is a popular Cuban beef dish and is typically served with black beans and rice. And after spending all that time preparing the Ropa Vieja, I wanted a quick, but flavorful pot of black beans to serve with dinner that night.

Quick Cuban Style Black Beans
Quick Cuban Style Black Beans

Pulling ingredients I had available in my pantry and refrigerator, the Goya Jamon seasoning gives the beans a subtle flavor of smokiness. And the Knorr Sazon with garlic, onion, cilantro and achiote is great for any rice, bean or meat dishes. I keep them in my pantry at all times along with my regular spices. A quick and fresh version of sofrito is as easy as tomato, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic and onion. Freshly made is always the better option.

Quick Cuban Style Black Beans

Ingredients

2 roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped plus more for garnish
1/2 jalapeño, seeded. Here I go with the chile pepper!
1/4 cup water
Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white or Spanish onion, diced
15 ounce can black beans in it’s broth
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 Goya Jamon season packet
1 Knorr Sazon with achiote, garlic, onion and cilantro season packet
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Salt to taste

*This recipe will have more broth than usual

Directions

1. In the blender, combine the tomatoes, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeño (if using), 2 tablespoons olive oil half of garlic and half of onion. Pulse to blend until fairly smooth. I prefer to not add salt at this time since the season packets both contain some salt.

2. In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil to medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the sofrito tomato mixture from the blender to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes.

3. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Taste for salt, cumin and pepper and season to taste. Remove from heat, garnish with some fresh cilantro and ladle beans with broth over rice. Yields 4 servings.

Next time, I will try the low and slow version for this recipe using a smoky ham hock and dried black beans.
Next time, I will try the low and slow version for this recipe using a smoky ham hock and dried black beans.
Tex Mex meets Cuban! How about some Ropa Vieja Nachos with smoky black beans, tender flank steak, jalapeños and your favorite melting cheese.
Tex Mex meets Cuban! How about some Ropa Vieja Nachos with smoky black beans, tender flank steak, jalapeños and your favorite melting cheese.

You can find the recipe for Ropa Vieja and Homemade Tortilla Chips-Totopos right here on my blog site. Just type it into the search bar or search under catergories.

Using homemade chips or a good quality store bought chip, this is a tasty twist on traditional Tex Mex Nachos.
Using homemade chips or a good quality store bought chip, this is a tasty twist on traditional Tex Mex Nachos.

Black Beans Prepared In The  Pressure. I finally decided to take the plunge and cook a batch of black beans in my pressure cooker. It seemed simple enough. With a few “La Piña” touches added to the recipe I was on my way!

My first time cooking black beans in the pressure cooker. I will never cook them any other way!
My first time cooking black beans in the pressure cooker. I will never cook them any other way!
I used a 5 quart pressure cooker for 1 pound of black beans
I used a 5 quart pressure cooker for 1 pound of black beans

 

Just took the lid off and all that steamy goodness aroma...aaaaahhh!
Just took the lid off and all that steamy goodness aroma…aaaaahhh!
All the times I have cooked black beans, they have never, ever come out this beautiful!
All the times I have cooked black beans, they have never, ever come out this beautiful!

Black Beans In The Pressure Cooker

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Equipment

  • *5 quart pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • Avocado or Olive oil
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 serrano pepper minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 pound black beans rinsed
  • 1 packet Goya Jamon seasoning
  • 1/3 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups water

Instructions

  • Add 2 tablespoons oil to pressure cooker pot. Heat to medium, add onions, garlic, serrano, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Saute for 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Then right before you cook, add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the beans. The oil prevents the beans from foaming up and clogging the valve. Very important that you don’t skip that step. Follow safety instructions that come with the pressure cooker. Lock lid, heat to medium/high until safety valve seals and locks. When the pressure valve begins to spin or release steam at high pressure, turn heat to medium/low and set your timer for 32 minutes.  after about 20 minutes, I turned the heat up slightly to finish cooking. Gently remove from heat. Once lock and seals opens and releases, them remove the lid.
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Beans, Cuban Inspired, Pressure Cooker Tagged With: Black Beans, Cuban, Pressure Cooker, Sofrito

Previous Post: « Ropa Vieja~ Shredded Beef Braised in a Sofrito Sauce
Next Post: Pork Tenderloin Tips~Prepared Two Ways »

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Comments

  1. Victoria Amador

    December 27, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    Today was my 3rd make of Cuban Beans! Super flavorful. We don’t usually make black beans but after the 1st time, my Pops purchased a huge bag of Black Beans haha thank you! Love your recipes!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      December 28, 2020 at 9:35 am

      Victoria, this recipe changed my life! Lol! I was still fairly new at using the pressure cooker and was very excited that the beans would cook in a 1/4 of the time. I love the flavors of these black beans! Thank you! I am so happy you all are enjoying the recipe!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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