Black Beans - Cuban Style

Originally published in Foodstuffs Hot Off the Griddle, October 1993.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb black beans
• 6 cups water
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lb pork sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tart green apples, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp chli powder
• 1/2 cup chopped dry dates
• 1 1/2 cups tomato juice
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• yogurt & green onions

METHOD

1. Wash beans, add water, cover and soak overnight.
2. Add butter and bring to boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, simmer until tender, about 2 hours.
4. While cooling, fry sausage until golden. Drain fat.
5. Add sausage to beans.
6. Add onion, apples, garlic, salt, pepper, mustard, chili powder, dates and tomato juice.
7. Bring to boil.
8. Bake in covered casserole, 325 deg.F for 2 hours.
9. Five minutes before serving, add rum.

Serve in gumbo bowls. Dollop yogurt and green onions on top. Serves 6 – 8.