Vinegar is optional and is really only
used in some regions of Cuba. My family
also does not use chile peppers. Cuban
cooking does not normally use hot spices.
Instead the key is to use garlic and
salt to your tastes....beans are great
the next day so I tend to make them the
day before I need them. The flavor seems
to concentrate. Additionally, I like
to boil the beans and in a separate pan,
I sweat the onions, oil and other spices
and add the pre-cooked items to the beans --
I think it improves the flavor.
We make theis recipe frequently. One trick I have learned regarding beans is that if I forget to soak them overnight, that covering them with boiling water and then letting them sit for an hour gets them to about the right state.
Since it was just the two of us, I wanted to make a smaller portion using canned black beans. I actually weighed one can of beans and while it was a 15-1/2 oz. can, it weighed just 8 ozs., which was perfect to scale this recipe down to half. I sauteed the vegetables in butter first (used jalapeno for the hot green chile pepper called for), then added the drained and rinsed beans, the seasonings, and 1 cup of chicken stock. I was too chicken to use the full amount of balsamic vinegar called for, so for this half recipe I added only 1 T., half the amount called for. I simmered it all, uncovered, until most of the stock was absorbed. This was just delicious and pretty on the plate. Hubby said he hates black beans, but he likes these since this wasn't as spicy or hot as some black bean recipes are. This was the perfect accompaniment to our Cuban meal of Sea Bass Cuban Style, Saffron Rice and Jicama Salad with Cilantro and Lime, all recipes from this site.
In all honesty, I did not make this recipe. However, I am Cuban (as in FROM Cuba), and I will swear on a Bible that NO CUBAN EVER has used green chiles in their frijoles negros (black beans). While this may be a tasty "black bean" recipe, it is not - under any circumstances - a recipe for "Cuban black beans."
Quite a nice recipe although I agree with the other comments about the vinegar. It'd probably be best to use half the amount given as it is a touch overpowering (although it is a nice flavour). I would also agree with one of the comments made that sweating the onions and peppers on their own while the beans cook would improve the flavour. Plus add the spices towards the very end of the bean cooking as the flavours tend to boil out after such a long time. Still - all said and done it is a nice way to use black beans it's dirt cheap and it can be reheated in all sorts of different ways! Great rolled up in a tortilla with the sour cream!
I made this for a party to go with cuban pork. A huge hit there were no beans left many went back for seconds. I probably added a bit more cumin and oregano than called for and I substitued about 1 tsp of cayenne for the green hot peppers. Reading other reviews if you substitute white vinegar for balsamic it will be sour balsamic vinegar has a richness and sweetness to it that white vinegar has none of. I think adding the garlic raw at the end made it more flavorful too. Great stuff!
I tried this two ways both with excellent results. First I tried as directed but without the vinegar (the vinegar seemed to be an issue in other reviews of this recipe). This was went very well over basmati rice. Second I fried the onion and bell peppers in extra virgin olive oil added the garlic and spices (I left out the vinegar and hot chile peppers because I didn't have the peppers at the time) then I added a large can of black beans (after straining off the liquid in the can). This turned out to be a great base for huevos rancheros--put the beans over a corn tortilla and top with a fried egg and salsa--yum!
I boiled my black beans in my crock pot for 3 hours then rinsed and drained and added them to a pot with ingrediance. I didn't add the hot peppers and I used one tablespoon of cumin for a stronger kick. Cooked for another hour. This is one of my hubbies favorite meals. We love this with a Pork roast.
Excellent recipe! Subtract one of the chile peppers or leave them out completely to make it even more authentic.
