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Dominican Beans

Sweetened by pepper and rounded out with cilantro, vinegar, and tomato paste, this Latin American staple is perfect with anything on your table or as a meal itself.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 4 (main course) or 8 (side dish) servings

Ingredients

2

(14- to 15-oz) cans pink or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

4

cups water

1

(2-oz) bunch cilantro (without roots)

1

large onion, chopped

2

large garlic cloves, chopped

2

tablespoons olive oil

3

tablespoons tomato paste

1

tablespoon distilled white vinegar

1

Cubanelle or Italian frying pepper (not spicy; 4 oz), halved lengthwise, stem and seeds discarded

2

Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

1

teapsoon salt

1

/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled

1

/2 teaspoon black pepper

Accompaniment: cooked rice

Special Equipment

cotton kitchen string

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Purée half of beans in food processor with 1 cup water until smooth.

    Step 2

    Tie cilantro into a tight bundle with string.

    Step 3

    Cook onion and garlic in olive oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softeneed but not brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, vinegar, and 1 cup water, then bring to a boil and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add puréed and whole beans, Cubanelle pepper halves, cilantro, bay leaves, salt, oregano, pepper, and remaining 2 cups water, then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 hours (mixture will reduce and thicken). Remove and discard Cubanelle pepper halves, cilantro, and bay leaves, then serve.