Recipe–Black Beans and Rice

 

More and more, I find that processed food is unsettling to my stomach.  The food that tastes the best is what I prepare from scratch.  This is an easy recipe to make in the crock pot.  And, as you get creative, you can add and subtract ingredients.

 

Ingredients

· 1 pounds beans, black, dry

· 7 cup(s) water

· 1 medium pepper(s), green, bell, coarsely chopped

· 1 1/2 cup(s) onion(s), chopped

· 1 tablespoon oil, vegetable

· 2 bay leaf

· 1 clove(s) garlic, minced

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1 tablespoon vinegar, (or lemon juice)

· 6 cup(s) rice, cooked in unsalted water

· 4 ounce(s) pimento, sliced and drained

· 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Preparation

1. Pick through beans to remove bad ones. Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse.

2. In large soup pot or Dutch oven, stir together beans, water, green pepper, onion, oil, bay leaves, garlic, and salt. Cover and boil for one hour.

3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for three to four hours or until beans are very tender. Stir occasionally and add water if needed.

4. Remove and mash about 1/3 of beans. Return to pot. Stir and heat through.

5. When ready to serve, remove bay leaves and stir in vinegar or lemon juice.

6. Serve over rice. Garnish with sliced pimento and lemon wedges.