Cuban Inspired Black Turtle Beans

Logo and photo credit: OYE! Tours


There is nothing as delicious as eating Cuban black beans in Cuba, made by a Cuban. The next best thing is to deconstruct a Cuban's method (recipe is the wrong word, since every single time there's a bit more of this, little less of that, depends what's on hand). So following is what I got via email today from my sister, the founder/director of OYE! Tours, who is currently in Cuba leading some tours.

For exciting past tour stories and photos check out her blog 'Cycle Across Cuba'.

Thanks for sharing hermana! xoxo


Cuban Inspired Black Turtle Beans
NOTE: This recipe is for a regular cooking pot, if you have a pressure
cooker, you can cook the beans faster.

2 cups of black turtle beans
5 cups of water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper or half a large green pepper, chopped
6 to 10 cloves of garlic (this is your preference), pressed
1 tsn of cumin
2 or 3 sprigs of cilantro, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash the beans and soak them in the water for at least 2 hours. (Preferably overnight if you are not using a pressure cooker)

Pour the beans and water into large cooking pot and cook on high for at least 30
minutes. You may need to add water as it evaporates.

Keep an eye on the beans and once they are tender, turn off the stove.

In a frying pan sautee the onion, green pepper and garlic until the onions are golden. Add this
mixture to the cooked beans and water and let the mixture simmer.

Add cumin, salt and pepper.

Finally add cilantro.

Let beans cook for another 20 minutes so that they can soak up the spices. You can add more water if you like a more 'soupy' mixture, if you do, remember to taste to see if you need more
salt.

Serve with rice or eat alone.

This easy-to-make protein packed dish will become one your household favourite. HINT: If you are pressed for time, canned beans will also work...you compromise a bit of the taste but you can
'cover' up with extra garlic.
Recipe credit: www.oyetours.ca



PS starting today I'm taking a blog break. Gotta get cracking on some creative projects. I'll be back late February. Until then, to steal a quote from Paula Deen, I wish you 'happy dishes'!!