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TasunkaWitko
Admin Group Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9356 |
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Posted: 11 February 2013 at 15:18 |
Moros y Cristianos This recipe was chronicled in Time/Life's Foods of the World - The Cooking of the Caribbean Islands (1970) and comes from Cuba:
Along with the Time/Life version, there are probably dozens of ways to make Caribbean black beans and rice; Andy gives us a great method here: http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/moros-y-cristianos-black-beans-and-rice_topic914.html Basically, it's good, home-style comfort food, versatile according to what is available at the time, and always soothing, satisfying and filling. The funny thing is, even though it is a Caribbean dish, it sure is nice on a cold winter's day up in north-central Montana, as well! Here's what you need to get going: A few notes: The recipe called for salt pork, but in my little one-horse town, bacon was the closest thing we had, so I used that; truth be told, any hunk of pork would probably do, from a chunk of salt pork to a ham bone. Also, as you can see, I used canned beans for this preparation. This decision was for one reason and one reason only: because I decided only that morning to make this dish for the meal that we were having that evening! Otherwise, I most definitely would have used dried black beans, preparing them as the recipe instructs. Finally, I'm not a fan of green peppers, but I used one in this go-round, since it was intended for a pictorial, and the results were pretty darn good! After some very easy prep work: I rinsed the beans thoroughly and mashed a few of them with my mortar and pestle, as described in the recipe: This will help later on, to thicken the sauce. Next, I cooked the bacon on medium-to-low heat, in order to crisp it up and render out all as much fat as possible; when it was ready, I set it aside on a paper-towel-lined plate: Using a modest amount of bacon left just enough rendered fat in the pan to get the onions and green pepper started: After 7 or 10 minutes, when things were just starting to caramelise, I added the garlic for a couple of minutes, then the mashed-bean paste: Once everything was fairly-well incorporated, I returned the bacon to the skillet, along with the beans: That picture didn't turn out as nice as I would have liked; then I tried for a close-up: Unfortunately, one side got a bit distorted from the steam and the flash, but hopefully you can see just how much goodness we were in for with this dish.
After letting all of these wonderful Caribbean flavours marry in the pan for about 10 minutes, I added the rice:
And the water: Note that if I would have started with dried beans, soaking them simmering them as the recipe describes, I would have used the bean-cooking water here, rather than plain, ol' tap water. After that, I gave the whole mixture one gentle stir, then covered the skillet with its heavy, cast-iron lid and simmered for a little over 20 minutes. When the beans were ready, I served them with some Cuban pork pernil: http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/pernil-asado-en-el-estilo-cubano-de-vilarchao_topic3190.html
We also served the meal with some freshly-baked banana bread: http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/banana-bread_topic3180.html These beans tasted great, with all factors working together for perfect, soul-filled comfort food - just the ticket for a grey day in Montana, and I can only imagine how good they must be, served up at a beachside cafe in the Caribbean. They were a perfect, flavour-packed compliment for the exquisite pernil, and this is a combination that we will be revisiting again in the future! Thanks for looking - if you want to give this dish a try, on its own or as part of a larger meal, you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions, please let me know. Ron |
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Margi Cintrano
Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6357 |
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Tas, Looks scrumptuous ... Shall definitely give this a go ahead ... Now to the Perñil ...
Thanks so much posting ...
In Cuban and Dominican Spanish, this dish is called ARROZ CON MOROS ... In Castillian Spanish, Moros y Cristianos ...
Margaux ...
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Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
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AK1
Master Chef Joined: 10 April 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 1081 |
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Banana bread?? That sounds odd to me. Did it work well with the pernil & the BB&Rice?
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TasunkaWitko
Admin Group Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9356 |
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It was indeed excellent, Darko - it seemed to me that the buttery, banana-packed flavour actually helped to highlight the other parts of the meal ~
I'm a fan ~
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Margi Cintrano
Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6357 |
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Ak1. K fried sauteed bananas or sauteed plantains are common sides in Cuban cuisine. Ron made a banana nut bread. His signature. The bread is gorgeous. See bread section.
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Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
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AK1
Master Chef Joined: 10 April 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 1081 |
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Thanks guys. Normally, I've eaten banana bread as more of a breakfast or even a dessert. That's why that combo seemed odd to me. I see now how it could work well with the Pernil & Beans&Rice.
Another thing added to my to do list.
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Margi Cintrano
Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6357 |
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The cubans, caribbeans & middle easterners and Iberians toohave a profound penchant for sweet and nuts with their main courses.
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Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
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Melissa Mead
Master Chef Joined: 17 July 2010 Location: Albany, NY, USA Status: Offline Points: 1174 |
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This looks delicious!
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TasunkaWitko
Admin Group Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9356 |
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It is!
The only thing I would really change would be to use yellow, orange or red bell peppers, rather than green, but that's just personal preference. Even with green, this was very good, and smelled wonderful! |
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