Venezuelan Black Beans Stew

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) black beans, soaked overnight 2 cups (400g) black beans, soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth
• 1 lb (450g) beef or pork, cubed 1 lb (450g) beef or pork, cubed
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Avocado slices, for garnish Avocado slices, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 15g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Drain and rinse the soaked black beans.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Add the cubed meat to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and bay leaf. Cook for another minute to toast the spices.
5. 5.
   Add the black beans and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the Venezuelan Black Beans Stew over white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro and avocado slices.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Black beans — Soaking the black beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and ensures they cook evenly. Rinse them thoroughly before using.
• Smoked paprika — The smoked paprika adds a unique smoky flavor to the stew. If you prefer a milder taste, you can use regular paprika instead.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat and add extra vegetables like carrots or zucchini.
• To enhance the smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of liquid smoke to the stew.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Venezuelan Black Beans Stew with a side of white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. Top it with fresh cilantro and avocado slices for added freshness and creaminess.

Presentation advice

Present the Venezuelan Black Beans Stew in a deep bowl, allowing the rich colors of the stew to shine through. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro and neatly arrange avocado slices on top for an appealing presentation.