How to Cook Cuban Style Rice with Black Beans

Looking for a way to kick up your rice and beans?

Maybe it’s a side dish in your home or maybe you’re a vegetarian and this is your main dish. Either way, we can work it out to make it Cuban inspired.

It seems that most Cuban dishes have some type of pork in them. This dish is no exception in that it uses bacon. However, if you’re a vegetarian that eats chicken or turkey, you can use chicken or turkey bacon. If you’re a vegan, they do have vegan “bacon” too.

Ingredients:
2 cups black beans – Soaked & cooked
2 cups brown rice – Cooked
4 slices bacon of your choice – Cooked & crumbled
1 medium onion – Chopped
1 clove garlic – Minced
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups chicken broth
sour cream – For garnish

Instructions:
1. Add cooked black beans, crumbled Read more

If you would like to buy me some new and unique ingredients, or just help me supply my pantry so that I can come up with new and inventive recipes for you, Click Here. Eat Deliciously!

Sumptuous Dishes of the Caribbean

I am by no means an expert on Caribbean cuisine, but I do know that I have loved everything I have tried. I would love to learn more about the many islands’ cuisines, as they can prove to be very distinct in flavorings and ingredients.

Some Quick Facts for Tropical Cooking Made Easy:

Caribbean food is derived from a mixture of diverse cultures including Spanish, American-Indian, French, Indian and African combined to create a cuisine all their own.

Photo left: Barbados

“Jerk” flavored meats like chicken and goat are widespread on the islands, which are reminiscent of the Cajun’s spicy counterpart, but still distinctly Caribbean.

Rice is a staple food in tropical island cuisine, which could be flavored with various spices, and is often generously served with every meal.

Some unique spices that Caribbean Food is known for using in their main dishes, as opposed to how we would create desserts with, are allspice, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Fruits such as pineapple, papaya, guava and coconut are often added to main dishes with typical island flare.

Of course, as the islands are surrounded by ocean, fish is the main staple in the islanders’ diets, including shellfish. A famous tropical dish is that of the conch fritter widely popular in the Bahamas and Belize.

Roti, goat water stew, and callaloo (a green, leafy vegetable stew with okra as a base) are among other favorites in tropical cuisine of the Caribbean.

Not being as well versed as I want to be in Caribbean food, I researched to find a great resource for information and delicious recipes; I am convinced that I will Buy the book Tropical Cooking Made Easy. Check it out for yourself, or I will let you know once I have made some wonderful recipes from this tropical cookbook.

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I hope you enjoyed this Caribbean Cooking post on Cooking With Kimberly! Until next time…

Eat Deliciously,

Kimberly Edwards

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Technorati Tags: Caribbean cuisine, Puerto Rican recipes, island recipes, island food, tropical food, tropical recipes

If you would like to buy me some new and unique ingredients, or just help me supply my pantry so that I can come up with new and inventive recipes for you, Click Here. Eat Deliciously!