Ingredients

  • 4 (15 ounce) cans s&w black beans
  • 2 green bell peppers, 1 halved and seeded-1 diced
  • 8 cups water
  • 8 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 2 medium yellow onions, quartered
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, bottled crushed
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra dry sparkling wine, champagne or 1/2 cup spumante
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 cups instant rice
  • salt

Method

  • In a large soup pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 6 bouillion cubes and allow them to dissolve. Reserve 2 cups of water and 2 bouillion cubes for later use.
  • Add the black beans and diced green bell pepper. Bring to a boil. Allow beans and pepper to simmer, covered for 1 hour. Cook and stir throughout.
  • Prepare sofrito; by placing halved green bell pepper, quartered onions, garlic, oregano, cumin, bay leaf, black pepper and reserved 2 cups water/bouillion cubes in a blender. Blend on low until the mixture is smooth. Add the sofrito to the the large pot of beans and rice simmering. Bring to a roaring boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook and stir blending flavors for 1 hour.
  • Add salt, as needed, sparkling wine (slowly), red wine vinegar, lime juice and sugar. Continue to simmer, covered for 1 hour, allowing spices to blend. Stir on occasion. Mixture will thicken somewhat.
  • Bring mixture to boil. Stir in 3 cups instant white rice. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir. SERVE!