BM# 44: A-Z Cooking Series — Around the World in 30 days
Country: D for Dominican Republic
Dish: Rice & Beans
We are back to South America today, to Dominican Republic. It is a nation on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region. Chrsitopher Columbus landed in Hispaniola in 1492, during the first of his 4 voyages to America. Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean.
The first time I heard of this country was 9 years ago from a colleague who was from Dominican Republic. He was a very jovial person and had lots of stories to tell about his country. What I found interesting was he cooked his own lunch and brought it to work. I never got a chance to taste his food since it was mostly meat based but it always smelt soo good.
Dominican cuisine is typical to what can be found in other Latin American countries, but many of the names of the dishes are different. Meals tend to have meats and starches. Many dishes are made with Sofrito (a mix of local herbs) and is used as a wet rub for meats and sauteed to bring out all of a dish’s flavors.
I picked a dish very commonly made all over South America. Every county in Latin & South America has their own version of rice and beans. While looking for dishes to make from Dominican Republic, I found this amazing blog called ‘Aunt Clara’s Kitchen‘ written by Clara, a Dominican herself. She has so many traditional recipes on her blog and here pictures are absolutely mouth watering and perfectly go with her beautiful write-ups.
I made this filling one pot dish from her blog. It is so simple to make and it tasted so comforting and delicious, even both my kids ate without complaint. I’m sure I’ll be making this dish very often. It is also a good dish to pack for lunch boxes.
Recipe adapted here:
- 1 cup Rice
- ½ cup Red Kidney Beans
- ½ Bell Pepper pepper of / Cubanelle - a medium, finely chopped
- 1 Onion - small, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 cup Red Kidney beans
- ¼ tsp Thyme Dry
- ¼ tsp Oregano Dry
- 2 cloves Garlic
- ¼ tsp Red pepper Crushed - (optional)
- 2 tbsps Cilantro - finely chopped
- to taste Salt Pepper &
- Wash, rinse and soak rice for 15~20 minutes. Heat 2tbsp oil in a sauté pan, add onions, peppers, thyme, oregano and garlic. Once the onions are lightly browned, add the tomato paste and mix well. Cook for 1~2 minutes. Next add the kidney beans and cook for 2 minutes. Add the rice along with salt, pepper and 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat to simmer and cook covered for 15~20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. Let sit for 5~10 minutes before serving.
Nice one pot meal I made rice and beans from Cuba for c looks yumm.
Thats bowl of red beans rice is seriously very inviting, i can happily finish that bowl rite now.
Your presentation of this dish is great. I love the color of the rice. So appetizing!
Wow such a beautiful presentation…I love these simple yet flavoursome one pot meal..very nice reading abt your friend..
That’s a colorful dish packed with nutrition. Capsicum and garlic are my husband’s favorites. I will try this for him.I discovered Clara’s blog while looking for Dominican recipes and have fell in love with her recipes, pictures, style of writing and blog itself. My “D” dish is also coming from there. 🙂
Love the color of the rice. Looks very flavorful. Lovely pictures and nice one pot meal.
I like the color of your rice, sounds like a perfect one pot meal…
Moro is one of my fave dishes – at any dominican restaurant you are usually given the choice of two types of rice and beans – either white rice and separate bean sauce (like PJ did) or this type. I always prefer this type. Rice and Beans are served with every meal.
wow pavani that seriouly tempting bean rice 🙂 looks so delicious and perfectly made !! fantastic captures as usual dear !!
That is such a tempting bowl of rice, Pavani. Simple, homey kinds!
I too made a dish from the same site Pavani! And this bowl of rice and lentil looks fab!!!
Beautiful clicks..and instantly bookmarked. I love such one pot meals they are such a blessing on a holiday. The kidney beans remind me of the Mexican rice that I make.
Delicious and a comfort pot meal, love the colours on the plate!!
Bookmarked. such beautiful clicks and meal that is delicious and simple this sure is a winner.
Wow! Such an easy one pot meal. Looks so inviting..
Looks comforting, colorful & delicious.