Puerto Rican Habichuelas Guisadas
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20-25 mins | Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
• 2 Cans of Pink or Red Kidney Beans (15 oz Can)
(with or without liquid)
• 2 Tablespoons of Amor Del Sol Freeze Dried Sofrito
• 1 Packet of Sazón
(with Culantro y Achote if that's your tradition.)
• 1/2 cup Tomato Sauce
(whole can if you like it more on the tangy side)
• 1 Medium Potato
(or West Indian Pumpkin, again depending on your tradition.)
• 1/4 Cup of Pitted Spanish Olives
• 1/2 Cup of Diced Smoked Ham or Cooking Ham
(completely optional but highly recommended!)
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano
• Water
(1/2 to 1 cup, depends on how thick you want the sauté)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Step. 1 Prep The Ingredients:
Dice potato or pumpkin 1/2 inch to 1 inch cubes. If you’re using West Indian Pumpkin, you are going to prep about 1/2 cup. If you are using both, split each measurement in half.
If you are going to use ham, cut ham into desired cube sizes. The ham is traditionally cut at 1/2 inch cubes.
Step. 2 Sauté The Base:
In a medium pot over medium heat, add about 2-3 tablespoons of oil of your choice. Sauté your diced ham for 2 minutes until slightly browned and or lightly seared. Add the Amor Del Sol sofrito and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be very careful not to burn the base, you want to allow a light frying.
Step. 3 Build The Sauce:
Stir in the tomato sauce, sazón, oregano, and olives. Let this simmer for about a minute or two to meld the flavors together followed by some light sturing.
Step. 4 The Main Ingredient:
Add the beans (with their liquid, though some might disagree) and the diced potatoes and or pumpkin. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes/pumpkins if the liquid looks too thick for your liking.
Step. 5 Simmer & Thicken:
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Step. 6 The "Secret" Step:
If you like it thicc, once the potatoes are soft, take your spoon and mash a few of them against the side of the pot. Stir that back in, this is what creates that thick, luxurious gravy!
Step. 7 Finish:
Taste and add salt or pepper if needed. Let it sit for 5 minutes off the heat before serving; the sauce thickens as it cools.
Tips for Authenticity
Our Favorite
Serve the Habichuelas Guisadas over white medium-grain rice with a side of slice aguacate (avocado).
The Perfect Pairing
If you really want to go all out, serve it with a crispy chuleta (pork chop, thinly sliced). Or fried chicken, whatever you enjoy most!
More Flavor!
If you feel you need more of a deep, bold flavor; Add in half a pack of pork bullion and a pinch of cumin. Thank me later!