Arroz Congrí

Original recipe Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried black beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 1 small green pepper, chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 5 or 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, roughly chopped
• ¼ teaspoon dried dill
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco
• 1½ cups long-grain rice, rinsed

Directions

1. Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
2. Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
3. Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2¼ cups.
4. Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
5. Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.