**Savor the Authentic Flavors of Victor's Cafe 52 Cuban Black Beans and Rice: A Culinary Journey to Cuba's Heart**
Indulge in a tantalizing culinary adventure as we explore the beloved Cuban dish, Victor's Cafe 52 Cuban Black Beans and Rice. This classic combination, deeply rooted in Cuban cuisine, offers a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Havana. Join us as we embark on a journey to recreate this iconic dish in your kitchen, with three distinct recipes that cater to various dietary preferences. From the traditional black beans and rice to a flavorsome vegetarian version and a zesty cilantro lime rice variation, we'll guide you through each step to ensure a delectable and authentic experience. Prepare to be captivated by the rich, smoky flavors of black beans, complemented by the fluffy texture of aromatic rice. Let's delve into the secrets behind this Cuban masterpiece and bring the vibrant energy of Victor's Cafe 52 into your home.
VEGETARIAN CUBAN BLACK BEANS
Steps:
- Add the beans to a large bowl, cover with water and let stand overnight. Drain and discard the water or cook in a pressure cooker for 18 to 25 minutes (do not discard the water if using the pressure cooker).
- In a large Dutch oven, add the beans, 9 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 1 hour until the beans are fork tender.
- In a separate Dutch oven add the onion, green pepper, garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and saute until opaque. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (If using a pressure cooker, do not use the pressure cooker to saute the beans any further. Use a heavy pot or a Dutch oven.)
- Add the cooked beans, to the pot with the onion mixture, along with the oregano, cumin, bay leaf, vinegar and wine. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add additional salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and serve over the Fail-Proof Brown Rice.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium skillet, add the brown rice and the egg white, stirring constantly over medium heat, until the mixture is dry. Mix the water and bouillon cube in a medium bowl.
- Add a small amount of olive oil to a deep, large baking dish. (Cook's Note: I recommend a clear baking dish so you can monitor the water absorption).
- Pour the bouillon water, rice and egg mixture into the baking dish. Put the dish in the oven, and do not interrupt the cooking process. After 30 minutes, cover with foil and continue to cook for 30 more minutes, a total of 1 hour. Remove from oven, fluff with fork and serve.
VICTOR'S CAFE 52 CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE
Victor's Cafe 52 is a reknowned Cuban restaurant that has been in Manhattan since 1963. I found this recipe in the newspaper about 20 years ago, when Cuban cuisine was quite novel to me. It was a great introduction!
Provided by JackieOhNo
Categories Rice
Time 26m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Wash beans. Soak them in water with 1 large green pepper, sliced, until tender, about 8 hours. Cook beans in same water for 45 minutes.
- In medium skillet, saute sliced onion and remaining green pepper in 2/3 cup olive oil. Once soft, add this to the beans with salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and sugar. Simmer for 1 hour.
- Add vinegar and wine; simmer for another hour.
- Meanwhile, in a flat pan, heat 3 T. oil. Fry garlic until it is light brown, then remove garlic from oil and discard.
- Add water and salt to the oil in pan and bring to a boil. Add rice immediately.
- Lower flame, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
- When ready to serve beans, stir in 2 t. olive oil and serve the beans over white rice.
- This recipe can be halved easily or the leftovers can be frozen.
CUBAN BLACK BEANS
This classic recipe is adapted from "Tastes Like Cuba," by Eduardo Machado and Michael Domitrovich. The secret is the homemade sofrito, but bottled will do in a pinch.
Provided by Pete Wells
Categories one pot
Time 45m
Yield Serves 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cut 1 green pepper into 1-inch squares. Smash and peel 4 of the garlic cloves. Put the green pepper and garlic into a large pot with the beans, ham hock, bay leaves and 1 tablespoon salt. Add 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and simmer until the beans are tender, an hour or more.
- Meanwhile, make a sofrito. Cut the remaining ½ green pepper into ¼-inch dice. Peel and finely chop the remaining garlic. Heat the olive oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the green pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeño (leave out the seeds if you don't want it too spicy), oregano, cumin, black pepper and 2 teaspoons salt and stir for another minute. Pour in the vinegar and scrape any browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. This is your sofrito.
- When the beans are cooked, discard the bay leaf. Remove and set aside the ham hock and let it cool. Transfer 1 cup of beans to small bowl, mash them into a paste with the back of a fork and return to the pot. Add the sofrito, then the sugar. Pull the meat from the ham hock, leaving behind any white sinew or gristle. Chop the ham into ½-inch pieces and return it to the bean pot.
- Stir the beans well and bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes or so, skimming any foam from the top. Taste for salt and serve with white rice.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 350, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 451 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE
I can't remember where I got this recipe. The Cuban surgeon at the hospital where I worked said it was "almost as good" as his mother's!
Provided by carole in orlando
Categories Rice
Time 3h30m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large stockpot cover beans with water and boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for one hour.
- Drain water and cover with fresh water (6 cups).
- In a skillet saute the onions, bell pepper and garlic in oil for 5 minutes, until tender.
- Add onion mixture and all remaining ingredients, except the red wine vinegar, to the beans and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to simmer covered for 2 hours, until beans are tender.
- Add more water if necessary.
- At the last minute add the red wine vinegar, just before serving.
- Serve with 2 cups of cooked rice.
- Top with chopped green onions, chopped hard boiled eggs or sour cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 511.8, Fat 19.9, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 0.9, Sodium 412.9, Carbohydrate 66.4, Fiber 12.7, Sugar 3.4, Protein 18.6
Tips:
- To make the best Cuban black beans and rice, use high-quality ingredients. Look for fresh, flavorful black beans, and use a good quality rice, such as basmati or jasmine.
- Soak the black beans overnight before cooking them. This will help them to cook more evenly and will also reduce the cooking time.
- Use a variety of spices to flavor the black beans and rice. Cumin, oregano, and garlic are all classic Cuban spices that work well in this dish.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. You can add vegetables, such as bell peppers or corn, to the black beans and rice. You can also add different types of meat, such as chicken or pork.
- Serve the Cuban black beans and rice with traditional Cuban sides, such as fried plantains or maduros.
Conclusion:
Cuban black beans and rice is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover black beans. With its flavorful combination of black beans, rice, and spices, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Cuban black beans and rice a try.
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