MOROS Y CRISTIANOS (Black Beans & Rice) Recipe

Basic Black Beans*
3 6" pieces of slab bacon
2 Garlic cloves; crushed
2 T Olive oil
1 c Liquid from previously
-cooked black beans
1 c Rice, uncooked
1/2 c Water
1/2 c Black beans; drained
1/2 ts Olive oil

Prepare Basic Black Beans recipe, reserving liquid from beans.

In a 2-qt. saucepan, saute slab bacon and garlic in olive oil until they are lightly browned. Remove from pan; set aside.

Put rice in the pan and cook until it begins to crackle. Add water and liquid from black beans. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until rice is rather dry (water will be almost completely absorbed) and almost tender. Add black beans and olive oil; cook a little longer until rice is tender but not too soft or mushy. Mix in browned pieces of bacon and garlic. Serve hot.