Homemade dishes made with black beans are wholesome and filling.
Black beans are diet staples known for versatility and high protein content. If you have time to spend in the kitchen, treat yourself and your family to black beans made from scratch rather than from a can. You can prepare plain beans or flavor them with a variety or spices and vegetables. Make the homemade black bean recipe your own by experimenting with different ingredients. Black beans make the ideal accompaniment to rice, or they can be pureed into a soup. Blend the homemade black beans into a dip, and serve it with tortilla chips as a hearty appetizer or snack.
Instructions
1. Rinse 4 cups of dried black beans with water. Pick through the rinsed beans and discard any foreign objects.
2. Place the beans in a bowl, and cover them with several inches of cold water. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap. Allow the beans to soak overnight in a refrigerator.
3. Drain the soaking water from the beans. Add the soaked beans to a large pot filled with 10 cups of water. Place 3 bay leaves, 2 sprigs of fresh oregano, 3 large or any other dried spice that you desire into the pot with the beans. Carefully stir the beans with a spoon.
4. Place the pot of beans on a stove, and bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat to allow the beans to simmer for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and half, or until they are soft.
5. Saute 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped green peppers and 6 crushed garlic cloves in olive oil, and add them to the pot of beans. Remove the bay and sage leaves, along with the oregano stems, if you used them. Remove excess water from the pot of beans using a ladle, leaving enough to cover a ½ inch above the beans. Simmer the bean mixture on low for an hour or until it thickens.
6. Add the juice of 1 lime and ½ cup of fresh orange juice to the beans if you prefer a tangy taste. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.
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