This authentic Cuban black bean stew is a comforting classic that transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal. The key is patience; simmering the beans with smoked ham, aromatic spices like oregano and thyme, and a bay leaf creates a rich, velvety broth. Mashing a portion of the beans back into the pot thickens the stew naturally, giving it a luxurious texture. It 226;ÂÂs perfect for chilly evenings or as a make-ahead dish that tastes even better the next day. Serve it over white rice for a complete, satisfying feast that captures the essence of Caribbean home cooking.
Cuban Black Bean Stew
Description
This authentic Cuban black bean stew is a comforting classic that transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal. The key is patience; simmering the beans with smoked ham, aromatic spices like oregano and thyme, and a bay leaf creates a rich, velvety broth. Mashing a portion of the beans back into the pot thickens the stew naturally, giving it a luxurious texture. It&# 226;ÂÂs perfect for chilly evenings or as a make-ahead dish that tastes even better the next day. Serve it over white rice for a complete, satisfying feast that captures the essence of Caribbean home cooking.Ingredients
Directions
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Sort and rinse the black beans, then soak them in plenty of water overnight.
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Drain and discard the soaking water from the beans.
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In a large 4-quart pot, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until tender but not browned.
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Add the soaked beans, 4 cups of fresh water, beef bouillon cube, cooked lean ham (cut into chunks), bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and dried red pepper to the pot.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
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Cover the pot and simmer gently until the beans are tender, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
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Remove about 1 cup of the cooked beans and mash them thoroughly with a potato masher or fork.
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Stir the mashed beans back into the pot to thicken the stew naturally.
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Remove the ham chunks from the stew and dice them finely.
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Remove and discard the bay leaves and whole dried red pepper.
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Add the diced ham, chopped bell pepper, and dark rum (if using) back into the stew.
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Cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
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Serve hot over white rice, topped with a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 200.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 3.7g6%
- Saturated Fat 2.0g10%
- Cholesterol 8.1mg3%
- Sodium 28.8mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 32.8g11%
- Dietary Fiber 10.9g44%
- Sugars 2.9g
- Protein 10.8g22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.