Kitchen Secrets with Our Cuban Chef – Arroz Congrí
Arroz Congrí, a tasty rice recipe typical of Cuba, also known as Arroz Moro or Moros y Cristianos, is an exquisite dish prepared with rice and beans, its popularity crosses borders and has become a typical dish in many countries, it can be found on the tables of the Caribbean, the southern United States and even in Brazil. Like “Arroz a la Cubana” which is accompanied by fried plantains, Arroz Congrí is usually accompanied by plantain chips, roasted cassava, etc.
The word Congrí comes from the Haitian word “kongo”, which means bean, and “ri”, which was probably a contraction of “rice”, rice in English.
Although Arroz Congrí is a Cuban dish in the first place, many claim that it is of African origin, and possibly it is. However, that is not an impediment for all Cubans to consider it one of the most popular and traditional dishes on the island.
Likewise, such is the relevance of this food that it is one of the favorites to eat on important dates in the country. For this reason, we bring to our readers a simple recipe, ideal for rice and beans lovers, and that besides being delicious, it is an excellent accompaniment for other meals.
The preparation of the Cuban Arroz Congrí recipe is very simple and consists of cooking delicious black or red beans very well-seasoned with garlic, paprika, chicharron, and other spices. The rice is then added to cook with the beans and acquire their delicious flavor.
Although there is some debate as to whether this dish should be prepared with red beans or black beans, we have opted for black beans, as this is the traditional way it is served in Cuban restaurants. If you want to prepare this rice with ingredients you have in your pantry, you can also use canned beans, but be sure to save the liquid and omit step 1.
HOW IS ARROZ CONGRÍ MADE?
Ingredients
- 2 cups of white rice
- 1 pound of black beans
- 6 cups water
- Bacon strips, cut into pieces
- Pork rinds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ teaspoon cumin, ground
- ½ teaspoon of ground oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups of black water, from cooking the beans
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
SO HOW TO PREPARE ARROZ CONGRÍ?
- First, place the beans in a saucepan with the bay leaves and 6 cups of water, and heat over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. When it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 1 hour until the beans are tender. Add water as needed to keep the beans covered by 1 inch of liquid. Finally, add a pinch of salt.
- Fry the bacon in the oil in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the bacon is slightly crispy.
- Then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and oregano, and stir fry for about 10 minutes. Next, add the rice and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Finally, add the beans along with their liquid, stir well and add enough water to cover the beans by about 3/4 of an inch.
- Next, heat it over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil, then bring it to a gentle boil. Then cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice and beans are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Finally, an element that will give a special touch to this rice Arroz Congrí recipe is the decoration and its accompaniments. Therefore, we recommend adding some coriander leaves to give life to the dish with a green color. Also, for a better taste, many Cubans choose to accompany this meal with a piece of roasted or fried pork, fried plantains, viands, or salads.
This classic Cuban recipe uses basic ingredients and transforms them into a rice dish with an exceptional flavor, you can prepare it to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Consequently, it is an excellent alternative to enrich your menus and leave your guests licking their fingers.
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