Recipe(tried): Re: ISO Rice and Bean Dish

Hi, Donna. I saw Angela's Puerto Rican rice and bean dishes, which I intend to try myself, and thought I'd send you a Florida "Conch" version of:

Black Beans and Rice
(6 Servings)

1 pound dried black beans
1 green pepper, finely chopped
2 medium onions, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2 teaspoons oregano
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 2-ounce jar diced pimento, drained

Rinse beans and soak overnight. Drain. Place beans in 2 quarts of water an simmer uncovered until almost tender, about 1 hour. Saute green pepper, onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add to beans along with salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaves and vinegar. Cook uncovered over low heat about 4 hours until thick and creamy, mashing beans if necessary. (Be careful not to burn beans, and don't increase heat above low.) Remove bay leaves.

Serve over white rice, garnished with the diced pimento. Accompany with chopped onions, diced avocado, and diced tomatoes, if desired. (I prefer Uncle Ben's Converted Rice, cooked according to package instructions, but I reduce the amount of water called for in order to
get a drier, firmer rice.)

Hope you like this recipe!

Janet