Recipe
Moros y cristianos
Cuban rice with black beans, made in a pressure cooker with a sofrito of onion, garlic, and green pepper. The traditional moro rice recipe for 6.
- Preparation15 min
- Cooking1 h 15 min
- Total time1 h 30 min
- Servings6 servings
- DifficultyEasy
Moros y cristianos, also called arroz moro, is one of the most typical rice dishes in Cuba. Many people call it congrí, but according to Cuban gastronomy experts, that is a mistake: congrí is the recipe made with red beans.
The name moros y cristianos has historical roots. Moros was what the Spanish called Arab peoples, who dominated for more than seven centuries the territory that is now Spain. At that time, they brought many foods to the peninsula, including rice, a cereal that changed Spanish cuisine forever. The population of the peninsula, mostly Christian, lived in conflict with the Arabs until, after many conflicts, they managed to expel them and reconquer their territory.
That is why this dish, black beans and white rice together in the same pot, recalls that era. It is a true gem of Cuban cuisine.
Ingredients
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Method
- Pick and wash the black beans. Place them in the pressure cooker with abundant water.
- Put the pot over high heat until it builds pressure; then reduce to medium heat and cook for 30 to 40 minutes. The grain should be tender but not split open.
- Remove the broth and reserve it. Let the now-soft beans cool down.
- Finely chop the onion and garlic, and cut the green pepper into very thin strips.
- In the pot, place the onion, garlic, green pepper, oregano and oil. Sauté everything lightly until the onion turns golden.
- Add the rice and mix it well with the sofrito.
CiberCuba - Incorporate the beans, bay leaf and 2 cups of the black bean broth. Adjust the salt to your taste and cover the pot.
- Put over medium heat until the pot builds pressure. Reduce the heat and let cook for 10 minutes.
- Uncover the pot and check that the rice is already dry.
CiberCuba - Stir the rice so it separates into grains and does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
CiberCuba - Let it rest slightly covered before serving. Enjoy!
CiberCuba
