Colombian Frijoles

Ingredients

• 500 g red beans or kidney beans (soaked overnight)
• 300 g fatty pork knuckle
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons lard (from the pork knuckle)
• 3-4 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• salt

Directions

1. 1

   Cut the pork knuckle into little pieces, the size of your thumbnail.

2. 2

   In a non stick pan, fry the pork until the pieces are crisp, and golden brown in colour.

3. 3

   Remove from pan, and drain.

4. 4

   Rinse the beans and run them through your hands to make sure that there are no small stones or bits of earth among them.

5. 5

   Put the beans, pork fritters and lard into the pot and add enough water to cover the beans.

6. 6

   Boil for about 2 hours stirring occasionally every 20 minutes, covered until they are tender, but not soft.

7. 7

   In a separate pan, sauté the green onions and tomatoes for about 8- 10 minutes, until you get a nice thick sauce and all the tomatoes are dissolved.

8. 8

   Remove from fire and add the tomato sauce to the bean stew.

9. 9

   Add the salt, cumin and cilantro, and simmer for another 30 minutes, adding water if necessary.

10. 10

    Serve with rice.