Colombian Beans

I feel very lucky to be Colombian. The food is so delicious and theres so much wonderful culture. In the past few years I have lost some of my customs and the recent month I’ve been trying to bring it back to my life. Living in Colorado, finding Colombian food is very hard & I usually don’t cook it at home. I recently made these colombian beans and it gave me a taste of my childhood. These beans are made in a crock pot and are super easy to make. It will take time but good things always takes time! Total cook time is 5hrs, I hope you enjoy this recipe. Be sure to tag me if you try this recipe, I’d love to see what you guys come up with. #cookitkelly_ @cookitkelly_

Ingredients

• Dried red beans 1cup
• Carrots 2Lg shredded
• Tomatoes 2plum cubed
• Scallions 1bunch chopped
• Chicken bouillon 1cube
• Green plantain 1 use spoon to cut into imperfect small pieces
• Rice 1cup use cooking instructions
• Add-ons avocado, sweet plantains, protiens i.e chuleta, steak, chorizo, chicharron

Guiso is a combination of tomatoes, scallions and sazon seasoning ( I use goya brand) cooked down in butter or oil. Its a burst of flavor that gives any dish a great taste of umami.

Directions

1. Start off with soaking the beans in water overnight. This will help the beans cook evenly and cook faster without having to use a pressure cooker.
2. Get your crock pot and put it on high. Drain the beans that have been in water overnight. Strain the water and add the beans to the pot and add 1cube of chicken bouillon. Cover the crock pot with enough water to cover all of the beans and a bit extra. Cook on high for 3hrs.
3. In the mean time cut the green plantain into imperfect cubes, I usually use a spoon for this and not a knife. You don’t want the plantain to be perfectly cut cubes.
4. At hour 3 add in the plantains and continue to cook on high for another hour. You might need to add a little more water at this time.
5. While the crock pot is on its last high hour, start making your Guiso– grab another pan and cook down the tomatoes and scallion in butter(or oil) and one tablespoon of the sazon. Cook for 5-8mins and then add to crock pot.
6. On hour 4 lower your crock pot to low and cook for one more hour. While this is happening cook your rice- follow cooking instructions and cook your extras & proteins as well. Some examples of the proteins you can have with the rice and beans is chuleta, chicharron, steak, chicken and as extras you can have sweet plantains, avocado or even a fried egg.
7. Note: I didn’t add any extra salt as the sazon and the chicken bouillon already has so much salt. At the very end before serving taste and at this time you can add salt to taste.
8. Just like any recipe, make it your own and have fun with it!!!
9. Serve in a bowl and enjoy!

P.s I have added this to my highlights on my IG page @cookitkelly_ where you can follow along. As always, if you have have any questions reach out I’m always available 😀