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Emilia's Cuban Black Beans

By: Coleman Bell

"My mother-in-law made this often when I lived in Miami before her death. After reading the other recipes on here, I found they all missed one very important ingredient for authenticity -- PORK! This recipe takes a while to cook, and I have also used a slow cooker with good results for those who enjoy using them. Serve over white rice. Hope you enjoy!"

Rate/Review | Read Reviews (10)

Prep Time:
20 Min

Cook Time:
3 Hrs 55 Min

Ready In:
4 Hrs 15 Min

Servings (Help)

US Metric Calculate

Original Recipe Yield 10 servings

Ingredients

1/4 pound bacon, chopped
2 achiote (annatto) seeds
1 yellow onion, diced
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, or to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 pound dried black beans, picked over and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
kosher salt to taste
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 lime, juiced
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup large pimento-stuffed Spanish green olives, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley, or as desired

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, cook and stir the bacon with the annatto seeds until the bacon pieces are browned, crisp, and colored from the seeds. Stir in onion, garlic, 1/2 cup parsley, and 1/4 cup cilantro; cook and stir the vegetables in the bacon drippings until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, oregano, cumin, kosher salt, pepper, lime juice, and bay leaves. Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about 4 inches, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Cover the pot and simmer the beans and seasonings until tender, about 3 hours, adding water if necessary to prevent burning. Stir in the olives and 1/4 cup cilantro, and simmer for 30 more minutes, uncovered, to reduce excess soupiness if desired. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon or more of fresh parsley, and serve.

Footnotes

Cook's Note
After Step 1, you can place the beans into a slow cooker and cook on High setting for 2 hours, or Low setting for 3 hours. Finish the recipe as written, adding olives and cilantro, uncovering the slow cooker if necessary, and sprinkling with parsley.
Annatto seeds have a bright color, an exotic and interesting flavor, and they influence many different world cuisines.