Jose’s White rice and beans (arroz blanco y habichuelas)

White Rice

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups long-grain white rice (rinsed and drained)
• 1 tbsp of chicken bouillon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium pot.
2. Add rice, bouillon , and butter. Stir once.
3. Cook uncovered over medium heat until water evaporates.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender and fluffy.

Stewed Beans (Habichuelas Guisadas)

Ingredients:

• 1 can red or pink beans (with liquid)
• 2 tablespoons sofrito
• 4 oz tomato sauce
• 1 packet of sazón with annatto
• ½ cup diced potato
• ½ cup diced smoked ham or chorizo (optional)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat oil and sauté ham or chorizo until browned.
2. Add sofrito and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, sazón and potato.
4. Simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens.

Serve over white rice.