So here in Costa Rica the national dish for lunch and dinner is called Casado and the national breakfast dish is called Gallo Pinto... Casado has rice, beans, small salad, cheese, plantains and a chunk of meat(if you want it). Gallo Pinto has eggs, cheese, rice and beans mixed together, a chunk of meat(if you want it), fried plantains and tortillas. So both of these national dishes have BEANS.
You can get these dishes most anywhere, but the real places to eat them are called Soda's... Yum.
You can get these dishes most anywhere, but the real places to eat them are called Soda's... Yum.
I have decided that I did NOT want to be a canned bean girl any more. Being a vegetarian most of my protein comes from beans, so I knew there was a better option!
Beans in bag or raw beans are CHEAP. A 900 gram bag costs about $1.80 here. That will make about 3 different batches with each batch making 3 cups of cooked beans. Let me tell you again, ITS CHEAP.
They are way better for you and don't give you as much gas!!! So I did a little research and talked to some locals about making homemade beans. I have made 2 batches so far and they are amazing. I thought I would share my recipe with you all! Enjoy. Tell me when you make them and how they turned out!
Get what ever flavor of bean you want... Get out your measuring cup and measure the beans! 1 cup raw equals about 3 cups cooked.
Measure the beans. I use a coffee cup.
Sort out the beans on a white surface, getting rid of any rotten or bad beans. This also helps see the rocks, get those out too.
Use the same measuring cup that you used for the beans and pour in 3 times the amount of COLD water. Water must be cold. This is for the soaking. I used 1 cup beans, 3 cups water... Put in large enough pot because they expand A LOT.
Soak beans for no less than 24 hours... 24 or more hours. You will need to be a planner!
Stir the beans every so often during the 24 hour period.
Keep them covered and leave them out on your counter top.
After you have waited more than 24 hours for your beans to soak, you can start cooking!!!
Cut up some garlic, onions, jalapeños and whatever else you want.
Cook that mixture in olive oil, in the pot that you plan on cooking the beans in. Cook them until just soft. Use a very big soup pot.
Time to rinse the beans!
Rinse them until the water runs clear...
Add rinsed beans to pot. Mix in with the other goods.
Time to add liquid. I only add water because that is all I have. But you can add broth or wine too. Just make sure you have 3 times the amount of liquid again. So 1 cup beans, 3 cups liquid.
Bring liquids up to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer. Stirring often.
Black Beans need to cook for 1.5 hours to 2 hours...
After the first hour add some spices. I use black pepper, cumin and cayenne pepper. Also add some fresh cilantro at this time if you have it. Stir in.
Keep cooking and stirring!!! Give a little taste, see if they need anything. Mine needed more cumin. So I added it.
These beans are officially done!!! You will know that they are done because most of the liquid is out. Leave some liquid in.
Put on a plate and eat the goodness!!! Yum I want some right now!
Enjoy. I am still tackling my fear of rice. I have finally decided I like it, but only if other people make it. I am hoping to talk to my favorite Soda's chef and see if I can learn a trick or two about making better rice, well actually beans too! But I think that would involve way too much Spanish for my small vocabulary. I guess I will just have to continue to go there often!!!
Until next time. xoxo
Sarah, I make homemade beans about 3-4 times per year, Darrel loves them with ham in them (and so do I really) but I like them without too! I use a mixture of water and a vegetable juice like V8 to soak them in. I think it gives some extra flavor...who knows. I also add V8 to the cooking liquid too! I read somewhere that if you soak them until the 'shell' is soft and splits a bit, that will help the gas in the beans release prior to being eaten..:) however, beans will give a person gas...just the way it is!
ReplyDeletenow, rice is great if it is cooked the correct way, and so many things can be added! get a small rice cooker...it really makes a big difference. also, think about using some pineapple in cooking rice, it adds a great flavor. I am a chicken person, so I like to add chicken stock and meat to rice. (I know that you are vegetarian though). Rice is great with steamed vegetables as well. you can cook with spices and juices too! think about adding plantains and cashews to rice with some pineapple juice for flavor! yummy!! Love you bunches! Mama Deb