Dominican Moro De Habichuelas Rojas (Printer-Friendly Version)
A fragrant mix of rice, red beans, and spices simmered with culantro and achiote for rich flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
01 -
1 small red onion, finely diced
02 -
1 small green bell pepper, diced
03 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Seasonings
05 -
1 packet sazón seasoning mix with coriander and annatto
06 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 -
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 -
1½ teaspoons salt
→ Liquids and Others
10 -
¼ cup tomato sauce
11 -
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans with liquid
12 -
3 cups raw long-grain white rice, rinsed
13 -
4 cups vegetable broth
14 -
2 bay leaves
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add finely diced red onion and green bell pepper, stirring until onions become translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
02 -
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to brown to preserve bright flavor.
03 -
Stir in sazón seasoning, oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for 30 seconds to enhance the spices’ aroma and flavor.
04 -
Pour in tomato sauce and cook while stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until the raw taste dissipates. Add canned red kidney beans along with their liquid and mix thoroughly.
05 -
Add rinsed long-grain rice, stirring to coat grains with the sofrito and seasonings. Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaves. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
06 -
Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid to ensure even cooking and fluffy rice.
07 -
Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves and gently fluff rice with a fork before serving.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Using a heavy-bottomed pot and a tight lid ensures evenly cooked, non-sticky rice. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain steam.
02 -
Sazón seasoning varies by brand, so adjust salt quantities accordingly to prevent oversalting.
03 -
Resting rice after cooking prevents mushiness and results in fluffy, separate grains.
04 -
A robust vegetable broth adds depth and enhances overall flavor more than water.