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Caraotas Negras
5 from 2 votes

Caraotas Negras

Caraotas negras is a typical Venezuelan dish of stewed black beans that may be served on its own, or as part of the famous Pabellón criollo.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Resting Time
1 d
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 309 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Breakfast, Lunch
Cuisine: Venezuelan, Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb black beans
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 onion chopped, small
  • 1 onion halved, small
  • 6 green pepper de-seeded and halved lengthwise
  • 2 green chili de-seeded and halved lengthwise
  • 8 cloves garlic , chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cilantro sprigs
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the black beans into a very large amount of lukewarm water and add the baking soda. Mix well, then cover the container, and soak for 24 hours at room temperature.
  2. Make sure the water covers the beans at least 4 inches (10cm) above as they will increase in volume during soaking.
  3. After 24 hours of soaking, drain the beans, and rinse thoroughly with water.
  4. Place the beans into a large pot, and cover generously with water.
  5. Cover with a lid, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 1½ hours, or until completely softened. Skim off any scum that forms during cooking.
  6. Halfway through cooking, add the green peppers, chillies, halved onion, and the whole cilantro sprigs. Increase the heat to medium-high.
  7. 5 minutes before the beans are finished cooking, when they are very tender, remove the green peppers, cilantro and onion and chop very finely, or blend them.
  8. In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat, brown the raw chopped onion, then add the garlic and the cooked peppers, onion, chillies, and cilantro.
  9. Add the sugar and stir constantly for 10 minutes.
  10. When the sauce is cooked through, pour it into the pot with the beans and stir well to incorporate the flavors.
  11. Add the bay leaf, season with salt, toss, cover, and cook again for 15 minutes over medium / low heat.
  12. If desired, increase the temperature to reduce the liquid.