First of all, you’re going to need to read through the recipe for Cuban-Style Black Beans à la Pressure Cooker, because I’m not going to give you a recipe, because it’s the same. This is about technique and cooking times, using the pressure cooker feature on my multi-cooker…it’s a wonder, I tell ya’…. Continue reading
Cuban-Style Black Beans à la Pressure Cooker – Part 2
17 Saturday Mar 2018
Posted in Black beans, Garlic, Gluten Free, Herbs, Latin Food, Make Ahead, Onions, Peppers, Pressure Cooker, Smoked Neck, Spices, Vegetarian Option
These Frijoles Negros were the very first thing I cooked in my new toy…a multi-purpose pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker that you can sauté in, so the sofrito, that lovely mixture of garlic, bell pepper and onion, was a breeze. 
These probably aren’t what you think of when you think of enchiladas. And that’s okay. Though these aren’t very traditional, they are truly delicious. They are also a great way to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey…timely, huh? 
Boneless chicken thighs are a natural for stuffing. The cheese-stuffed jalapeño is a perfect way to keep the cheese from oozing out of the thigh and giving the whole thing a nice little Zing!! A pan sauce, a Cuban tamale and dinner is served. 
Every now and again, you happen on a dish that’s just perfect. This is that dish. It’s a positively delicious dish. It’s loaded with rich flavors and vivid colors. Though it’s absolutely best made when the garden is overflowing, it transcends seasons. And perhaps best of all, it goes together quickly and is even better made ahead and eaten at room temperature. 
I love fritters. They’re a great way to use veggies. They’re a great way to use up leftover veggies and they’re fried. And anything fried is just better. Face it. It’s true. You know it’s true. 
I was reading a blog the other day, and I ran across something called Pašticada. So, what’s this about? Not being Croatian, this was new to me, but from what I was reading, this dish is a pretty big deal. For the non-Croatian palate, this may seem like an odd combination of flavors to use with beef—lemons, nutmeg, cloves, prunes and other dried fruit—all braised slowly in red wine and plum brandy. 
This was the answer to The Latin Lover’s inquiry, “What are you planning for dinner?” This sort of just popped into my head. It went together quickly and had great flavor. 
When you put out a bowl of good olives, they always seems to disappear quickly, don’t they? When I put these little orbs of tastiness out to nibble, with drinks, before dinner, they fly out of the bowl! If you’re lucky enough to have some left, they are mighty delicious strewn over a salad. 
The Tuscans have their Ribollita. The Galicians have their Caldo Gallego. The Lisbonites have their Caldo Verde. And we, have this “Souppa”. Most cultures have some similar soup, a simple, nutritious, inexpensive and delicious soup or stew, using what’s on hand. This is peasant food, at its very best. 