Spicy Lime Black Beans

Brain Healthy Ingredients: Garlic, Legumes, & Olive Oil Learn more

This is a wonderfully delicious and fragrant way to enjoy black beans. You can serve them with tortillas and sour cream or as a side dish for any Mexican meal.

 

Tip:
You can use any type of spice you like, to your taste - ancho paste, chipotle peppers in adobo, Tabasco, chili flakes, you name it. Or, if you don't like spicy food, just omit the chiles altogether.

 

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 2 cups dried black beans
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, chopped finely
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped finely
  • 3 cloves crushed garlic
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp Tabasco sauce or chili powder (can use more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
  • juice of 2 oranges or 1/4 cup orange juice
  • juice of 1 lime or 1 Tblsp orange juice
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar

 

Preparation:

  • Rinse beans and soak overnight in cold water.
  • When ready to cook, drain soaking water and rinse again.
  • Put beans in large pot with oregano, salt, and 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until beans are soft but not completely cooked - about 30-60 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat and cook onions and peppers until soft. Add chili powder or Tabasco, cumin, and garlic, and saute about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Remove cooking liquid from beans until there is about 1/2 inch of liquid above the beans. Reserve the excess liquid in case you need it later.
  • Add sauteed onions and spices to beans. Cook 45-60 minutes more until beans are thick and cooked through. Add reserved cooking liquid if you need to.
  • Turn off heat and stir in orange and lime juice. Taste and add salt or spice to taste.