Low-fat Cuban Black Beans

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon lard
• 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 ounce canadian bacon, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup wine (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2-3 cups chicken stock
• salt and pepper

Recipe

• 1 heat the oil or lard in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. add the bellpeppers, onions, scallions, bacon, garlic, cilantro, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. cook for 5 minures or until the vegetables are soft but not brown.
• 2 stir in the beans and wine. bring to a boil over high heat. stir in the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of the stock or broth. reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. remove bay leaf.
• 3 puree one-quarter of the bean mixture in a blender. stir the puree into the simmering beans.
• 4 simmer for 2 minutes more, or until thick but still soupy. if the bean mixture is too thick add, more stock or broth. season w/ salt and pepper.