Classic Black Beans and Rice

Description: This is a typical dish served in Cuba or Puerto Rico, each country has their own method of preparation. You can flavor this dish with meat, but I left it out as I serve it as a side dish with my meats. It is an easy and healthy short cut and takes about 30 minutes to cook.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans (undrained)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 package sazon goya (without annato *see note)
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine or 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 2 cups cooked white rice

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a medium sauce pan, sauté onion,green pepper, and garlic.
2. Sauté until tender@8-10 minutes.
3. Add in remaining ingredients and stir until boiling, reduce heat and simmer until sauce is reduced@ 20 minutes.
4. Serve over white rice.
5. I like to mash a few of the beans with the back of a spoon to flavor the sauce.
6. Note: if you do not have Sazòn Goya an appropriate substitute would be ground cumin, chicken bouillon, and garlic salt to taste.