Dominican Moro Habichuelas Rojas (Ready-to-Print Version)

A hearty dish combining spiced rice with red beans, full of vibrant flavors and simple ingredients.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Oils and Aromatics

01 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ 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 Base

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced red onion and green bell pepper, sautéing until onions turn translucent, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, avoiding browning to retain brightness.
02 - Stir in sazón seasoning, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for 30 seconds to allow the spices to release their aromas and flavors.
03 - Pour in tomato sauce and cook while stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until raw tomato flavor dissipates. Add canned red kidney beans with their liquid and mix well to unify flavors.
04 - Add rinsed long-grain white rice to the pot and stir to evenly coat grains in the sofrito and seasonings. Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaves. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer without lifting the lid for 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
06 - Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow steaming to complete. Discard bay leaves and fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Handy Tips:

01 - Using a heavy-bottomed pot and maintaining a tight lid seal ensures even cooking and prevents burning.
02 - Adjust salt carefully since sazón seasoning packets may vary in salt content.
03 - Allow resting off-heat period to keep rice grains separate and fluffy.
04 - For additional smoky depth, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke in the tomato sauce.
05 - Sofrito base development is critical for maximum flavor layering.
06 - Use a quality vegetable broth to enhance overall savoriness.

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