• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking The Globe
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Map Room
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Map Room
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
×

Cuban black beans and rice - Moros Y Cristianos

Published: Jan 5, 2016 · Modified: Dec 29, 2016 by Igor · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Black beans are sacred in Cuba and they are eaten with almost every single meal. These Cuban black beans and rice, called Moros Y Cristianos, also feature bacon to make them even more delicious! A perfect side dish to anything!

Classic Cuban black beans and rice dish called Moros Y Cristianos in Spanish. A perfect side dish! #cuba #rice | cookingtheglobe.com

Black beans for Cubans are like rice for Asians or potatoes for the Irish. They are literally everywhere and it's never enough of them. Frijoles negros (Spanish for "black beans") accompany almost every dish. It's a no-brainer for Cubans when it comes to picking a side dish. Roasted pork? Beans go well together. Grilled chicken? Take the beans. Do you like your Cuban sandwich with fries or without sides at all? Seriously? You're nuts because it would be so much better with... You are right, beans. Seafood? Just take the beans and don't ask why.

Jokes aside. I can understand why Cubans are so in love with frijoles negros. If you cook 'em right... They are freaking delicious. The majority of black bean dishes can be split into two groups: beans with rice and without it. I've chosen to make the classic Cuban black beans and rice dish with a historic name "Moros Y Cristianos" which is "Moors and Christians" in English. By the name of this dish you can already guess that it has an interesting history behind it.

Classic Cuban black beans and rice dish called Moros Y Cristianos in Spanish. A perfect side dish! #cuba #rice | cookingtheglobe.com

The name of the dish is a reference to the battles between the Islamic Moors and the Christian Spaniards that took place in Spain between 8th and 15th centuries. Black beans represent dark-skinned Moors, while the white rice represents light-skinned Christians. It was probably brought to Cuba by early Spanish settlers. We can thank them now because it's one of the best bean and rice combinations I have ever tasted and I loved every bite of it!

I must confess - there was a nagging thought in my head that this dish can end up bland. Quite the contrary! The flavors blend really well together. The pungent aroma of cumin and oregano is so on point here. Black beans are so tender they melt in your mouth. I also love how beans color the rice making it brownish. The idea to place the few fried plantain slices on top came suddenly - I saw them sitting on the counter and somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I remembered reading about the popularity of these fruits (are they considered fruits?) in Cuba. It was a successful decision in terms of look and taste.

Classic Cuban black beans and rice dish called Moros Y Cristianos in Spanish. A perfect side dish! #cuba #rice | cookingtheglobe.com

Moros Y Cristianos works best as a side dish. I made it to accompany Ropa Vieja and it was a hit. However, if you will add some bacon like I did, you can serve these Cuban black beans and rice on their own as a light main course.

Classic Cuban black beans and rice dish called Moros Y Cristianos in Spanish. A perfect side dish! #cuba #rice | cookingtheglobe.com

Cuban black beans and rice - Moros Y Cristianos

CookingTheGlobe
Flavorful and tender, these Cuban black beans and rice bring a taste of the Caribbean to your kitchen. Perfect as a side to anything!
4 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 4 people
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the beans:

  • ½ lb (225g) dried black beans
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed with the back of a knife
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 dried bay leaf

For the rice and beans:

  • 2 cups uncooked rice
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • ¼ lb (100g) bacon, diced
  • 1 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions
 

  • The beans. Soak the beans in cold water overnight. Drain and place in a pot with 2 ½ quarts (litres) of fresh water.
  • Add the onion, garlic, green bell pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered for 45-60 minutes or until the beans are tender but firm. Check regularly and skim the foam off the surface.
  • Drain the beans and reserve 4 cups of the liquid. We will need it later.
  • The rice and beans. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the bacon and cook for about 3 minutes until brown.
  • Add the onion, green bell pepper, cumin, oregano, bay leaf and saute until onion wilts, about 5 minutes. Add rice and stir thoroughly. Add the beans, reserved liquid, vinegar, salt and cook uncovered until liquid has almost evaporated.
  • Stir with a fork, reduce the heat to low and cook covered for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand for 10 minutes more. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

« Russian Cranberry Drink - Mors
Creamy Pesto Lasagna »
5170 shares
  • Facebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ed

    November 20, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    4 stars
    I made this to go along with your Ropa Vieja recipe. It was very good. My only problem with it is that it was a lot more work than some other cuban rice and black bean recipes I've tried, and it was essentially the same. I really didn't notice that cooking the dried beans with the onion and green pepper and cloves changed the taste of the beans that much over just using canned black beans, which would make this recipe very quick and easy. Still, doing your two recipes together did make for a very good dinner. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Igor

      November 24, 2016 at 9:25 pm

      Ed, it's actually your choice whether to cook fresh beans at home or just use canned ones. I always lean towards the first option because canned beans are often too salty + too mushy. I also feel that taste difference when I cook them by myself with aromatics 🙂 If I would be in a hurry, though, canned beans sound like a perfect substitute!

      Reply

Join the Discussion Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Social Profiles

Categories

Latest Recipes:

Featured-Img-of-Thai-Steamed-Fish
Featured Img of Sooji Balls Savory Semolina Dumplings
Featured Img of Tangy Mango Dal
Featured Img of Thai Larb Salad
white bowl of thai noodle soup on black table by red peppers
Featured Img of Basil Chicken

Affiliate disclosure

Cookingtheglobe.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 · Cooking the Globe WordPress · Log in

5.2K shares
  • 513