711. COCONUT RICE with BACON, BLACK BEANS and FRIED PLANTAINS

makes 8 servings


For the beans:

4 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight
1/4 cup cubed smoked bacon
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño
1/4 cup finely chopped poblano pepper
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 bay leaf
1/2 tablespoon cumin seed, freshly toasted and ground
1/2 tablespoon coriander seed, freshly toasted and ground
2 1/2 quarts (10 cups) low-salt chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water


For the coconut rice:

3 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup finely chopped red onion
4 cups water
4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
4 cups long-grain white rice
Ground white pepper


For the fried plantains:

2 ripe plantains
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter



For the beans:

Sauté bacon with canola oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until bacon renders most of its fat. Add all vegetables and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly caramelized.

Drain beans and add them to the pan along with bay leaf, cumin, coriander, and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer beans uncovered until completely tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Make sure beans stay completely covered with liquid during cooking; add water if needed.

When beans are ready, strain them, reserving the cooking liquid. Return cooking liquid to the stove and simmer over medium heat until reduced by half, then stir back into the cooling beans. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.


For the coconut rice:

Heat canola oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft and translucent.

Add water and coconut milk, and bring to a boil. Stir in rice and bring mixture to a boil. Season with salt and white pepper.

Reduce heat to medium-low to keep mixture at a simmer. Tightly cover the saucepan, and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, approximately 20 minutes. Remove rice from heat and allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff rice with a fork.


For the fried plantains:

Peel plantains, and quarter them lengthwise. Slice the 8 strips of plantain into about 8 pieces each.

Melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. When it starts to foam, add plantains. Sauté plantains until they are tender and edges are golden. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then remove to a paper towel to drain.

To serve, combine beans with coconut rice and plantains.


NOTE: Be sure to use unsweetened coconut milk, available at most grocery stores; we’ve found that Thai brands work best. And look for plantains that are well mottled or all black—they’re much sweeter that way.

NOTE: Start soaking the beans the day before you want to make this dish.


courtesy of: Randy Zweiban, Nacional 27, 325 West Huron, Chicago, Illinois, 60610