Black Beans and Rice

A friend of mine who now lives in the Huston area was visiting my family (and hers) in Michigan this summer. She was talking with my sister and said she likes reading my blog but would like to see more gluten free, dairy free recipes. I do have several recipes already that are gluten free, and even dairy free (or easily made dairy free), but I have not labeled as such. I am not that well informed on where you can get gluten except wheat. So with that I believe this could well be a gluten free/dairy free recipe. So here's one for you Kelly!

When I make my black beans I never use a recipe, so I think that's why it took me so long to post them. My daughter loves black beans and would eat black bean soup every other day if she could. The soup is another one I don't really make by a recipe. I do always have black beans on hand whether it's organic canned or organic dry beans. I just bought a pressure cooker so now I can make dried beans fairly quick!

Anyway I tend to make them more the Cuban style black beans, because that is what we are used to around here. Cuban style black beans also work well for my husband (who doesn't like it as spicy as I do) Cuban style doesn't add a lot of heat.

I will do my best to write the recipe for you...I could of sworn that I wrote it down the last time I made these...now where is it? You know I will come across it after I have already posted this!

Black Beans and Rice

ingredients:
2 cans of organic black beans (or 3 cups cooked from dried)
2 tablespoons oil (for sauteing the onions and garlic)
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic smashed then chopped
2-3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano (I used Mexican oregano)
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (I used this instead of sugar)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1/4 cup red wine (optional) or sherry
water with the cooked dried beans or you can add some broth with the rinsed canned beans
salt and pepper to taste when beans are cooked


directions:
If using dried beans wash and pick through 2 or 3 cups and soak them overnight in 6 cups of water, drain. In a 6 quart pot add water and beans and a little olive oil to keep in from foaming (like you would in a pressure cooker). Cook beans for 1 hour.

In a large enough pot or Dutch oven add some oil and saute the onions with a little salt to draw out the sugar (some like green peppers, but my husband doesn't so I skip them) until tender, add the garlic cook just until fragrant (we don't want to burn the garlic. Add the cumin, oregano, stir cooking for a minute. Add the beans with the water they were cooked in (or if using canned rinse well and add a little water or broth) bay leaves, vinegar, pomegranate molasses, wine or sherry. Sometimes I will add some recaito - cilantro cooking base if I have an open jar in the fridge. Cover and cook for 20 - 30 minutes stirring occasionally, and you can adjust the liquid to your preference. Salt and pepper to taste...remove bay leaves.

Serve it over rice, like my cilantro rice . Garnish with some toppings of choice, like diced tomatoes, onions, or a slice of lime, fresh cilantro, crumbled cheese, or like my daughter does she tops it with...you guessed it...sour cream.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, I hope it was clear enough. Or if you have any additions that you like to use in your beans and rice, please share!

Another way to use Chickpea flour ~ Cabbage Fritters

I think Indian households aren't the only ones that should have chickpea flour as a regular staple in their pantry. I have really enjoyed using it. Also known as gram (besan) found in Indian markets, or garbanzo bean flour that can be found in your health or natural food markets and even in some supermarkets. Many use it in gluten - free diets. I am keeping it on hand in my pantry from now on!
I have been using Bob's Red Mill brand and have found it in many stores near me. I think Walmart carries one that is garbanzo bean and fava bean blend. I haven't tried that one yet.
I found another recipe from Jay's blog Tasty Appetite this time she uses shredded cabbage. I happened to have a cabbage on hand and tried it right away. Cabbage Fritters are easy to make and oh-so-tasty!
I had some savoy cabbage so I sliced it thin, then cut it crosswise, in a nice loose chop. I made just a little adjustments to the original recipe. In a bowl I mixed:


1/2 cup chickpea flour
2 Tbsp rice flour
1 tsp green chili powder (New Mexico green Chile)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp celery seed (more or less)
a pinch of asafetida
salt and pepper to taste
oil to fry

To that add some water to make a thick batter. Then ...


...add the shredded cabbage about 2 cups, and mix well...


Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan. I made them into little patties and dropped them in the hot oil, I like to pan-fry rather than deep-fry, that is just my preference. Fry the fritters until they turn golden brown.
Drain the excess oil by placing the fritters on paper towels. Sprinkle a little sea salt over them while they are hot if desired.

Here is another yummy snack or side that you don't feel so guilty eating. It's a great way to get your kids to eat their cabbage or any veggie, my daughter liked them. So quick and easy and tasty. They went almost as fast as I made them.

We ate them just as they were like this, but I'm sure you could find many thing to dip them in.

I wanted to see how they would be it I just dropped then into the oil and fried them like this.

It was good that way too, but I think I prefer the first way in the little fritter patties.

Of course doesn't frying make everything taste good? This is a double goody with the benefits of garbanzo bean flour and cabbage so I think it balances out don't you?

My sister and niece are flying in to night for a week long visit. My parents rent a place out on the key for a month, so they stay with them. I know it only takes 4 minute to drive there from my house. They are right there at the beach. It will be nice for them to get out of the snow for awhile. I hope the weather keeps up like it has been for them, it's been in the 70s F. It's nice having family around.