Dominican Beans Recipe [Habichuelas Guisadas]
Dominican Republic food is a blend of Spanish, African, and Taino influences. This dish of stewed red beans over white rice, also called Habichuelas Guisadas, is beloved comfort food in many Latin American households. You can find this dish everywhere in the Dominican Republic, no matter what region you are in.The best part about this Dominican beans recipe? It is so simple to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! All you need is some red beans, seasoning ingredients, garlic, olive oil and water.Habichuelas Guisadas is typically served over white rice. You can serve it as dinner or as a side dish.
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Servings: 6 people
Calories: 378kcal
Equipment
- 1 Pan
- 1 bowl
- 1 Spacula
Ingredients
- 2 cans Roma or pinto Beans
- ¼ green bell pepper chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ⅛ tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sopita
- 1-2 tbsp tomato paste
- 150-250 g Kabocha or Pumpkin
- 1 small Red onion (chopped)
- 2-3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 2-3 ajicitos (finely chopped)
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme (optional)
- ¼ tsp light brown sugar
- ½ tsp oregano
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Soak the beans overnight. Drain beans and keep them aside.
- Take a pan and add some oil. Add the finely chopped onion, pepper, garlic and ajicitos. Sauté until boiled at medium heat.
- Now, add the beans and mix with them. Add two cups of water.
- Add sopita, oregano, tomato paste, oregano and thyme to the bean mixture. Mix them with a spatula and boil for 5 minutes.
- Now time to mix Kabocha or Pumpkin.
- Boil for about 20-30 minutes in medium heat until whatever thickness you want. If your beans start to get thick, add some water. But be careful – if you boil it too long, your squash will disappear!
- After reaching the thickness you like, sprinkle a pinch of brown sugar and vinegar at the end. This will help to balance out all of the wonderful tastes.
Notes
1. Use fresh, dry beans. Soak them overnight before cooking. But you can use canned beans if you don’t have fresh beans.
2. Add sautéed onions and garlic to the dish for flavor.
3. For a thicker dish, add some tomato paste to the beans while cooking.
4. Garnish with fresh cilantro and green bell pepper when served.
5. If you allow the beans to rest for an extended period of time before serving, the flavor will improve.
6. Dominican beans are a great way to use up leftover rice. If you have some rice sitting in your fridge, this is the perfect recipe to use it up. Just add the rice to the pot when you’re adding the beans. This recipe is also budget-friendly since beans are an inexpensive protein source.
7. Tomato sauce can be used instead of tomato paste.
8. Some people use butternut squash instead of Kabocha or Pumpkin.
