Smoky Simmered Beans With Sofrito Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Start by soaking the beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.
• STEP 2.In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers and cook until softened.
• STEP 3.Add the soaked beans, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir well to coat the beans with the spices.
• STEP 4.Pour in the tomato sauce and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
• STEP 5.While the beans are simmering, prepare the sofrito. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers and cook until softened.
• STEP 6.Once the beans are tender, stir in the sofrito and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
• STEP 7.Serve the smoky simmered beans with sofrito hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• Soaking the beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and ensures they cook evenly.
• If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can use the quick soak method. Place the beans in a pot with water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let them soak for 1 hour before draining and rinsing.
• For a smokier flavor, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke to the tomato sauce.
• Feel free to customize the sofrito by adding other vegetables or spices according to your taste.
• Leftover beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Storage and Serving

• Leftover beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
• Serve the smoky simmered beans with sofrito as a main dish with rice or as a side dish for grilled meats or roasted vegetables.