Black beans soup (Caraotas negras)

In Venezuela, there is a very traditional dish called Pabellon. This dish has four components: steamed rice, string beef, fried green banana or plantain and black beans. I'll do an entry for each component. The first one would be Black beans soup. There are many variations of this dish depending on the region of Venezuela you are from. For example my husband's family is from the Eastern part of Venezuela and they like to eat the black beans with sugar.

I'll prepare my mum's recipe and we are from the central region of Venezuela. Black beans are healthy the are a good source of vitamins,proteins and fiber, very low in cholesterol. Good vegetarian and vegan option.

For 4-6 people

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup Dry Black turtle beans. In Adelaide, you can buy them from the central market or Gaganis, also some Woolworths and Coles have them as well, depending on the area they are located.
• 5 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of ground cumin.
• 1/4 of red capsicum, finely chopped.
• 1/2 of medium size brown onion, finely chopped.
• 6 gloves of garlic, crushed.
• 1 tablespoon of oil.
• Salt to taste.

Preparation:

- Rinse the beans well with water.
- Place the beans and water in a pan, boil the beans for at least 1 hour until soft and the broth has thickened, monitor the cooking process you may need to add more water if drying out. You can also use a pressure cooker to cook them quicker.

- In a frying pan, fry the spices (capsicum, onion and garlic). Cook until they are soft, add cumin.

- Add the spices to the beans and keep cooking for extra 20 minutes. 

- Add salt to taste.

- Once ready, cover and let it rest.

I love this dish with grated fetta cheese and some toasted bread.  I like the South cape Fetta cheese, it tastes very similar to queso llanero, a fresh white salty cheese. You can buy it from any supermarket.