diff --git a/docs/food_related/black_beans.md b/docs/food_related/black_beans.md index f77d460..c8be46a 100644 --- a/docs/food_related/black_beans.md +++ b/docs/food_related/black_beans.md @@ -1,4 +1,58 @@ -Certainly! Here's a revised recipe for slow cooker Cuban black beans, designed for an 8-10 hour cook time on low setting. This will allow you to take advantage of the slow cooker's ability to develop deep flavors and tender beans. +Absolutely, here's an enhanced version of your slow cooker Cuban black beans recipe, including detailed steps for properly soaking and preparing the beans: + +### Ingredients: +- **1 pound dried black beans**, soaked overnight and drained +- **1 large onion**, finely chopped +- **1 green bell pepper**, finely chopped +- **3-4 cloves garlic**, minced +- **2 tablespoons olive oil** (for sautéing the vegetables) +- **2 teaspoons Sazón Goya** or to taste +- **1 bay leaf** +- **1 teaspoon ground cumin** +- **1 teaspoon dried oregano** +- **2 tablespoons white vinegar** or apple cider vinegar +- **Salt and black pepper** to taste +- **4 cups water** or as needed (adjust depending on the desired thickness) +- **Fresh cilantro**, chopped (for garnish) +- **1 tablespoon sugar** (optional, for balance) + +### Instructions: + +#### Preparing and Soaking the Beans: +1. **Soak the Beans**: + - Place the black beans in a large bowl and cover with about 2-3 inches of cold water. Let them soak overnight, or at least 8 hours, to soften and reduce cooking time. + - If the room temperature is warm, place the soaking beans in the refrigerator to prevent fermentation. + - After soaking, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water to remove any impurities and to reduce gas-causing compounds. + +#### Prepare the Sofrito: +2. **Sauté Vegetables**: + - In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. + - Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. + +#### Assemble in Slow Cooker: +3. **Combine Ingredients**: + - Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the drained black beans, Sazón Goya, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, and water. + - Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly. + +4. **Cook**: + - Cover and set the slow cooker to low. Cook for 8-10 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors are well melded. If during cooking the beans seem too dry, add a little more water. + +#### Finish and Serve: +5. **Final Seasoning**: + - Stir in the vinegar, add salt and pepper to taste, and sugar if using. Adjust these final seasonings based on your preference. + - Remove the bay leaf. + +6. **Garnish**: + - Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro just before serving. + +7. **Serving Suggestions**: + - Serve the black beans over white rice for a traditional pairing, or use them as a base for tacos, as a filling for burritos, or as a side dish with a main course. + +### Tips: +- **Timing Flexibility**: The beauty of using a slow cooker is that it’s very forgiving. If you need to extend the cooking time slightly due to schedule constraints, the beans will generally continue to improve in flavor. +- **Overnight Option**: You could start the slow cooker before going to bed and have the beans ready for a reheat at lunch. + +--- ### Ingredients: - **1 pound dried black beans**, soaked overnight and drained