Easy Moros (Cuban Black Beans & Rice)

Method7 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Add the bacon (2) to a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until crispy and the fat has rendered, about 7–9 minutes. Stir frequently.

   Render bacon and cook until crisp · 9 minUses 2 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces

2. 2

   Step 2: Add the diced onion (1 small) and optional quarter green pepper to the bacon and rendered fat. Cook two minutes, stirring often.

   Cook onion and optional green pepper · 2 minUses Crisp bacon and rendered bacon fat · 1 small onion, finely diced (about 1/4–1/3 cup) · 1/4 green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced, optional

3. 3

   Step 3: Stir in the garlic (2) and tomato paste (1 teaspoon). Cook for 30 seconds.

   Cook garlic and tomato paste · 1 minUses Bacon-onion base with optional green pepper · 2 Garlic Cloves (minced) · 1 teaspoon Tomato Paste

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the black beans with their liquid, chicken broth (2¼ cups), salt (1 teaspoon), oregano (½ teaspoon), cumin (¼ teaspoon), black pepper (¼ teaspoon), and bay leaf (1). Stir well.

   Uses Prepared bacon-onion-garlic-tomato sofrito · One 15-ounce can black beans, undrained · 2¼ cups Chicken Broth · 1 teaspoon Salt · ½ teaspoon Oregano · ¼ teaspoon Cumin · ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper · 1 Bay Leaf

5. 5

   Step 5: Rinse the measured dry rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain. Bring the prepared bean-broth mixture to a simmer over medium heat and stir in the drained rice. Simmer uncovered about five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is visible on the surface and no longer sinks when stirred.

   Simmer rice uncovered until some liquid cooks out · 7 minUses Canned black beans and liquid in seasoned broth · 1 1/2 cups dry long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained · Cold water as needed to rinse rice until clear; drain

6. 6

   Step 6: Lower the heat to low, cover, and cook for 22–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir once halfway through cooking, gently folding the rice from the bottom to the top.

   Cook rice covered · 25 minUses Rice and black beans after initial uncovered simmer

7. 7

   Step 7: Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and serve.

   Rest covered · 5 minUses Tender cooked black-bean rice with liquid absorbed