Black Beans and Rice Recipe

Thanks to those who came to watch our cooking demo at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show yesterday!
For those of you looking for a black bean and rice recipe, we've enclosed one here (we can't give you our family's ancient secrets- but perhaps you will remember it from the show.) You can always buy our sofrito at Old Havana Foods.com. Happy Cooking!

Frijoles Negros

1 lb dried black beans (rinsed and soaked overnight in cold water)
1 bay leaf
1 green pepper cut into quarters
2/3 c Olive Oil
4 garlic cloves chopped
1 large onion finely chopped
3 tsp cumin
2 TBSP cider vinegar
1 tsp finely chopped red or hot pepper

1. Boil beans with bay leaf for 2 hours until beans are tender.
2. To prepare sofrito- heat oil in a skillet over low heat until hot, then add garlic and onion, cook until onion is transparent 8-10 minutes. Add the cumin, vinegar and hot pepper and mix well.
3.Add sofrito to beans, mix well and cook over low heat. Add Bell Pepper. Cook over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Season to taste and serve.
Makes 8 servings.