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Cuban Black Beans A Family Tradition
Cuban Black Beans, a recipe that was my father in law’s specialty. He enjoyed cooking them when we visited. He always had for us Cuban black beans, white rice and fried plantains. Among other yummy things.
Ingredients for making authentic Cuban Black Beans
Like his famous chunky sauce made with olive oil, chopped onions, cilantro, lemon juice and spices. Perfect for grilled beef and chicken as well as for garnishing black beans and white rice.
Watch the video on how to prepare these yummy Cuban Black Beans.
Cuban Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound black dried beans
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 bay leaves
- 4 cachucha peppers
- 1 tablespoon sazon latino a combination with oregano, salt, cumin and pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Clean the black beans to remove any debris. Place the beans in a strainer and clean with running water.
- Add the beans to the pressure cooker and season with the ingredients on the list.
- Add water and close the pressure cooker following the safety measurements on the instructions manual.
- Cook on the stove for 45 minutes and serve hot.
Notes
My father-in-law passed away few months ago and we still miss him. I think we will never recover from his passing. He was a great man, jovial, with great humor, amazing father and husband. For him, his family was the center of everything he loved.
A small homage to my father in law making his recipe for Cuban Black Beans
When my husband took me to meet him for the first time, it was an unforgettable visit. He was a lover of my culture. He knew all the regional songs of the Mexican isthmus. Loved the marimba and the Mexican guapango. He was named Ernesto, but they called him Ernie. I named him “El Guapo” because he was handsome and with lots of personality.
My Father In Law Ernesto Martin
El Guapo was born in Cuba, in a town called San Antonio de Cabeza in the district of Matanzas. In Cuba he was a prisoner after Fidel took over. Many men in La Habana we incarcerated for no reason, a tactic to infuse fear and very common on those days. Within a few months managed to leave the island with his wife and son (my husband who was only 5 years old). From Cuba, they emigrated to New York where a close relative, who was a merchant marine sponsored them. Arriving in New York was a total shock. Him and his family did not speak English. They arrived only with a small suitcase and twenty dollars to start a new life. In a cold city of concrete, without work and facing so many challenges.
My dear in laws in their wedding in La Habana, Cuba
Despite all the obstacles El Guapo achieved success in the big apple. Few years later he brought his family to Orlando and joined Walt Disney World opening crew until he retired after more than thirty years of service. A life of struggle but full of joy. An immigrant who achieved the American dream and left a great legacy of love and hard work to his family.
Cuban Black Beans a recipe that was my father in laws specialty
Today, I make a small homage to El Guapo making his recipe for Cuban black beans. A simple dish but that means so much to me. Even though I met him late in my life, Ernesto always supported me as if I was his daughter. And his dream was that one day he would see me on TV cooking with the pros. I could not give him that joy but I know he was proud of me and my achievements. For his birthday he would always ask me to make him my favorite chocolate cake. As it was his favorite too.
Aji Cachucha the secret for achieving authentic Cuban Black Beans
Since I enjoyed so much his dish for Cuban black beans one day I asked him to teach me how to prepare his famous dish and shared his secret. He had a plant of ajíes cachucha in his backyard. This pepper is also known as ají dulce or ajicito. The flavor is similar to a Florida sweet pepper but it has a lot of flavor. This pepper is not spicy but when added to the black beans infuses a pleasant taste. Now that the secret is out I have planted some seeds of this ají cachucha in my garden so that I can have it handy and explore other applications aside the Cuban black beans recipe. I hope this recipe I shared today inspires you to cook my father in law’s Cuban black beans at home. And why not ,share with us how you liked them and a story of someone special in your life that has inspired you or touched your soul in a special way.
Cuban black beans, a classic family recipe made with dried black beans, garlic, olive oil, sazon latino, bay leaves, ají cachucha, and water. Cooked in the pressure cooker for a silky tender finish, and ready in 45 minutes
I absolutely love black beans, especially after spending some time in Costa Rica. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I am odd in the fact that I do not like the texture of beans but I love history. And your in-laws wedding photo is beautiful and what an amazing tribute to him
I’ve seen those little peppers in the market but never knew what to do with them! Now I do – thanks! Nice recipe! 🙂
Black beans are one bean that I can actually eat. These sound so delicious. The spices used, I bet are amazing with these.
Wow so nice to read about your family history and the recipe being a part of family tradition. Would love to try this one as I like black beans although will pass it mum for cooking as she’s a better at that than me 😉
What a great recipe! I look forward to making Cuban black beans for my family and especially my father who I know would really enjoy this!
This looks so tasty and I wish I could have some! I’ll have to make this Cuban dish for the family! My grandmother used to make this when I was young and I kind of miss it! thanks for the reminder as I was taken back in memory lane : )
Oh, we love beans everything! And your recipe looks and sounds so great that we’ll give it a try for sure, and very soon 🙂
My mother love black beans too. She says that it’s very good for health. Love your post
Yummy!!! I love beans of any kind, they are a great way to have a meatless meal but still feel full! We went to Cuba a few years ago and loved all the local foods (better than the stuff at the resort buffets ha!) I will have to make this for me and my hubby to enjoy!
Black beans are so good for you, thanks for the recipe. I love the old family photos!
What a wonderful tribute to El Guapo! He sounds like a fantastic man. Yes, where there’s a will there’s a way and you can make it in the US without government assistance — all you need is a willingness to work. The story sounds like our family story. I do love black beans — I’ll have to try his recipe.
I love black beans. This one is so simple and easy to make. I love how beautifully you wrote this article. Have to look for those peppers the next time I’m in the market.
Does your father in law want another daughter in the family? I mean, I volunteer to help eat the beans, rice and plantains! I’m keeping this recipe – so simple and perfect!
ps – I love that wedding picture!
Oh my gosh! These look fantastic. <3 I would love to get my hands on these. Looks easy to make too.
yummy! love such an authentic recipe and beautiful stories of your family!!
I love black beans. I’m very curious to try the cachucha peppers.
These look fantastic. Black beans can be used in SOOO many recipes. I often use them as a meat replacement, and throw them in soups, salads and sandwiches too.
I never used to make black beans until this year. Now I think I’m a little obsessed. I’m definitely planning to try out this recipe for sure, thank you. 🙂
I love love love black beans but I never make them at home! This recipe looks fantastic and super easy, I might just have to now!
I love beans, I need to put more back into my diet. They’re a really great protein! The flavors here look great, too.
What a wonderful story…thank you for sharing a piece of your family history. I love these pictures.
I have got to find that type of pepper. This recipe looks wonderful.
I like these kind of simple beans recipes, love the addition of garlic and bay leaves while beans cooking. Need to look for the that green pepper to make your family side dish.
Looks totally delicious! I love black beans!!!
yes me too big fan of beans