Looking for a break from the same old vegetarian recipes? Why not try authentic Cuban cuisine? Bursting with fresh ingredients and zesty flavors, these dishes promise to invigorate your mealtime.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This hearty and healthy black bean soup is a classic Cuban dish that packs in generous amounts of plant-based protein from the beans. The aromatic spices provide your taste buds with an awakening they won’t forget.
Ingredient List
- 2 cups of dried black beans, soaked overnight
- 1 large chopped onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 diced red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Make This Recipe
- Sauté onions until translucent in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in red bell pepper until softened.
- Incorporate tomato paste into the mixture and stir until well combined.
- Drain soaked black beans before adding them into the pot along with enough water or vegetable broth to cover by at least two inches.
- Bring the mixture to boil then reduce heat to low-medium allowing it simmer for about three hours or until beans are tender but still retaining their shape.
- Add in cumin & smoked paprika along with salt/pepper as desired.
Cooking Time And Temperature Guidelines
Simmer on low-medium heat for around three hours or wait till you see beans turning tender but having their shape retained completely!
My Pro-Tips – How To Customize The Flavor Of Your Soup?
Although this recipe embodies plenty of flavor already, there are many creative seasoning options available that can help elevate its taste.
Seasoning Options:
Try incorporating any one (or more) of these options:
- Cilantro at end point just before serving (gives soup a fresh burst of flavor).
- Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes kick up the heat a notch.
- Lime juice gives it a nice tangy flavor.
Recipe Tips
- Soak black beans overnight to reduce cooking time and aid digestion.
- If you prefer your soup chunkier, remove some cooked and mashed beans before adding other ingredients. Later in the process, reintroduce them back into the mixture for desired texture.
Recommended Tools To Make This Recipe
Large pot
To Sum Up: This Authentic Vegetarian Cuban Black Bean Soup delivers an explosion of flavors given its combination of sweet bell peppers, smoked paprika & ground cumin! It is an easy-to-make recipe that is both healthy and hearty –a must-have recipe in anyone’s vegetarian cookbook collection.
Aside from this tasty recipe, online resources for finding authentic vegetarian Cuban cuisine are numerous. Some options include searching for dedicated blogs or websites on Latin American cookery; refering cookbooks produced by renowned Cuban chefs/authors who have roots grounded in the country or asking friends/family members with experience preparing traditional Cuban dishes – these can present excellent recommendations as well.
Furthermore, experimenting with different variations on classic meat-based recipes with substitutions like tofu or tempeh offers scope to create unique vegan variants imbued with traditional Cuban flavors.
FAQs
What are some traditional Cuban vegetarian dishes?
While Cuba is known for its meat-heavy cuisine, there are numerous vegetarian dishes that are popular in the country. Some examples include black beans and rice (moros y cristianos), plantain chips (tostones), yucca fritters (yuca con mojo), stuffed peppers (rellenos de papa), and tomato-based vegetable stew (potaje de verduras).
Are Cuban vegetarian recipes healthy?
Many Cuban vegetarian recipes can be healthy, especially if they emphasize whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains. However, some dishes may contain added oils or salt that could make them less healthy in excess.
How can I find authentic vegetarian Cuban recipes to try at home?
