A little Latin flavor for ya! - [RECIPE]

I don't usually post on weekends because I'm so busy with the kids but yesterday afternoon I was cooking and figured I would share one of my favorite recipes with you.  Rice and beans are a staple in any latin household but if you're not used to cooking Spanish food it might be a little intimidating.  This recipe is super easy and so delicious. 

You can serve rice and beans with almost any meat....I made chuletas (pork shops) yesterday and as you can see I like mine WELL DONE.

So ladies here it is.  My rice and beans recipe......Just don't go trying to sell this people!

Beans

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1/4 cup white onions finely chopped
• 1/8 cup green onions finely chopped 
• 1/4 cup green pepper finely chopped
• 1 tsp of chopped garlic (fresh or jar is fine)
• 2 TSP Salad olives or manzanilla olives 
• 1 small tomato finely chopped
• 1 can of pink beans (any color is fine though ...black beans are also great for a Cuban style dish)
• 1/2 packet of sazon
• 2 cups of water
• 1/2 can of tomato sauce
• 1 tsp Goya Sofrito (homemade is best but the one from a jar is fine too)
• 1 tsp Goya Recaito
• Adobo to taste 
• pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan add your tsp of olive oil and saute your garlic and all your veggies for about 5 minutes until soft.   Add your beans (be sure to drain and rinse them), water, tomato sauce, sofrito, recaito, and seasoning to taste.  Bring to a boil and allow your beans to boil until they are at your desired consistency. I like mine a little thicker.  If desired you can also throw in a peeled potato or two chopped in 1 inch cubes.  Once your beans are finished ......reduce your heat to low and cover while you do your pork chops) Sometimes I also add a little smoked ham when I'm sauteeing the veggies but thats optional :-)

Pork Chops

• 4-5 Bone in Pork Chops (thawed)
• Juice from 1 lemon
• Juice from 1lime
• Juice from 1 orange
• Adobo to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 cap full of white vinegar (or any vinegar will do)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• pinch of Bijol (optional.....can be found in most latin sections of the supermarket)
• 1 packet of sazon (also found in latin section of supermarket)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  Remember the longer you marinate them the more flavor they will have.  I sometimes marinate mine overnight.   However, if you dont have much time you can cook them right away after seasoning. I also added some sweet lime pepper to the ones I made yesterday ....but keep in mind you can season your meat any way you like.  Above is just what I like to use :)

Saute your pork chops in vegetable oil over medium heat until they are crispy .  Serve over white rice (preferably not instant...thats a curse word in our house ..LOL) and add your beans as pictured above.

BUEN PROVECHO!