I'm definitely going to try this rice! Thanks for the recipe. We have a big Brazilian population here....I should find a way to try some of their food.
Barb Szyszkiewicz. sfo | Homepage | Thu.25.Oct.07 - 1:27 pm | #

I love rice and beans! One of my friends growing up was Puerto Rican, and I loved going to her house for dinner (I think it was more red beans with rice, but still wonderful to my pedestrian American palate!)
This looks great, thanks.
Lisa | Homepage | Thu.25.Oct.07 - 2:22 pm | #

Great idea Barb. We have a huge influx of Eastern European immigrants here and I've been picking up some really cool tips from one of my hubby's employees. I have his Polish great grandmothers recipe for Borscht I can't wait to try!

Lisa - That's the truth isn't it. These are such simple almost peasant food, but to our palates they seem somewhat exotic!
Deborah | Homepage | Thu.25.Oct.07 - 2:34 pm | #

Hi! I love black beans, and have a really hard time getting them to taste good. Thanks for the recipe (and the memories!).
Nora Bee | Homepage | Fri.26.Oct.07 - 5:33 am | #

This looks just gorgeous!

I have really discovered a fondness for black bean dishes of late. A couple of tips to reduce the explosive quality of beans -
1. soak for a day before cooking, changing the water several times.
2. when putting on the stove, add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (bread soda) and bring to the boil. Skim off the scum that forms, boil for about 10 minutes, then drain, rinse the beans and return to the stove in clean water to cook further.
3. if you can get your hands on it, the addition of epazote herb or winter savoury will help reduce the gassy effects of the beans somewhat.
Robert | Homepage | Fri.26.Oct.07 - 10:17 pm | #

Deborah,
This recipe is very similar to my recipe for Cuban Black Beans (on my blog). My recipe doesn't call for cumin, and I usually make it vegetarian, but it's pretty close. I love black beans!

By the way, if you pour off all of your soakng water, you lose a lot of that gasiness!
Barbara | Homepage | Sun.28.Oct.07 - 4:59 am | #

Nora - Hope you try it. Let me know!

Robert - Great tips, thank you! We should collaborate on a cookbook you know!

Barbara- I actually saw your menu plan and that made me think of my old friend Gabriela and figure out this recipe! I think the more authentic heavier Brazilian dish has ribs and beef in it too! Thanks for the tip on the water. Anything that reduces "that" is a good thing in my book!
Deborah | Homepage | Mon.29.Oct.07 - 8:56 pm | #

We tried the rice tonight and all agreed that it was VERY good. Big Brother has a friend who is Brazilian, and when he tasted the rice he said, "I've had this before." I told him it was Brazilian rice, and then he figured out where he'd tried it. The rice was easy to make and I think it would complement a lot of different dishes. Thanks for posting it.
Barb Szyszkiewicz. sfo | Homepage | Mon.12.Nov.07 - 12:11 am | #

That's brilliant Barb thanks for sharing your review!
Deborah | Homepage | Mon.12.Nov.07 - 3:02 pm | #