Frijoles Negros: Black Beans

• HEALTHY
• MAKE-AHEAD
• STAFF-FAVORITE
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 1 pound dried black beans, picked over and rinsed
2. About 11 cups water
3. 2 green bell peppers—1 cored and quartered, 1 finely chopped
4. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
5. 4 garlic cloves, crushed
6. Kosher salt
7. 1 large onion, chopped
8. 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
9. 1 bay leaf
10. 2 tablespoons sugar
11. Freshly ground black pepper
12. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
13. 2 tablespoons dry white wine

1. In a large saucepan, combine the beans with 10 cups of water and the quartered green pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and remove from the heat. Let stand until the beans are softened, about 1 hour.
2. Return the beans to a boil and cook over very low heat until tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Discard the green pepper.
3. In a skillet, heat the oil. On a work surface, using the side of a large knife, mash the garlic to a paste with 1 teaspoon of salt; add to the skillet. Add the onion and chopped green pepper and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, add 1 cup of the beans to the skillet and mash to a paste.
4. Scrape the paste into the beans in the saucepan. Add the oregano, bay leaf, sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Add the remaining 1 cup of water, or enough to just cover the beans, and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the vinegar and wine and cook, stirring frequently, until the beans are thick, about 15 minutes longer. Discard the bay leaf and serve.