Cuban Red Beans
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 12-14 ounces dried small red beans
  • 10 cups of water plus water for soaking
  • 1-2 Ham Hocks
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 red potatoes, cubed
Instructions
  1. Sort through the beans and remove any foreign objects.
  2. Rinse the beans, add them to a large pot or bowl and cover with 3-4 cups water; let the beans soak overnight.
  3. Drain and rinse and they are ready to cook.
  4. For a quicker soaking method, sort and rinse, add the beans and 6 cups of water to a large pot.
  5. Bring the water to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat, cover and set aside for one hour.
  7. Drain and rinse the beans, now they are ready to cook.
  8. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  9. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  10. Add the tomato paste, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, bay leaf and black pepper, stir well to combine.
  11. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  12. Remove from heat.
  13. Add the soaked beans, 10 cups of water, ham hock and the prepared onion mixture to a large pot.
  14. Stir well to combine.
  15. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.
  16. Uncover the beans, remove the ham hock and allow it too cool.
  17. Cover the beans and continue cooking.
  18. When the ham hock is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone and chop into bite sized pieces then return to the pot.
  19. Continue to cook the beans for another 15-20 minutes, taste to see if they are soft.
  20. If the beans are still firm, cover the pot and continue coking for another 30 minutes.
  21. Continue tasting and cooking until beans are soft - not mushy!
  22. If there is too much liquid remaining in the pot remove the lid and continue to simmer until they are a pleasing consistency.
  23. Add salt and pepper to taste if needed.
Recipe by at https://www.theorangebee.com/cuban-red-beans/