Cuban bean plays an important part in the traditional Cuban meal menu. It is used as an ingredient in various Cuban dishes like soups, salads and stews. In Cuban cuisine, red bean and white bean are extensively used. Cuban black bean dish is quite popular in the region and is served along with rice, where the duo acts as a complete Cuban meal.
Ingredients Used and Preparation Overview of Cuban Bean Dishes
The ingredients required to prepare bean based vegetable dishes consist of washed black beans, olive oil, chopped onions, chopped green bell pepper, minced garlic, water, tomato paste, diced pimentos, salt, vinegar, white sugar, and black pepper.
The recipe suggests the use of overnight soaked black beans so as to speed up the cooking time. Onions, garlic, and green bell pepper are heated in a frying pan containing some oil; the beans are added along with tomato paste, water, vinegar, and pimentos. The dish is seasoned with pepper, sugar, and salt, cooked for some time, and then served with rice.
Popular Cuban Bean Dishes
A few popular dishes made with Cuban beans are discussed in the section below:
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Cuban black bean soup- onions, garlic, and pepper are sautéed in oil for a few minutes, and thereafter boiled black beans, bay leaves, pepper, ham bone, and salt are added. Vinegar, and spices like cumin, dry mustard, oregano, and turmeric are added, and the mix is cooked for around an hour. The soup is garnished with chopped onions and boiled eggs, before serving it with rice.
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Cuban bean salad- the Cuban salad made with beans and other ingredients works as a great side dish. The salad is prepared by mixing together lemon juice, cilantro, oil, cumin, vinegar, oregano, and jalapeno pepper, and combining the mixture with black beans, pinto beans, chick peas, celery, red pepper, onions, and tomatoes. The salad is covered and refrigerated for around two hours before serving.
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Cuban black bean salad- in order to prepare black bean salad, yellow pepper, red pepper, onions, parsley, celery, and black beans are tossed together, and dressed with a mix of cumin, garlic, and lemon juice. The salad is tossed slightly and served immediately.
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Cuban black beans & rice- overnight soaked black beans are boiled in water and combined with sautéed mix of onions and bell peppers. Other ingredients viz. pimentos, sugar, sherry, vinegar, salt, and pepper are added, and the dish is cooked for some time. The Cuban bean dish is now served over rice. It can also be eaten as a side dish with steak or chicken.