White Beans with Pork and Bacon (Costa Rican Style)

Quick details

• Soak: 1 hour
• Cook: until beans and pork are tender
• Yield: about 8 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 kg white beans
• 1 kg pork (pork shoulder or pork skin, to taste)
• 1/2 kg bacon
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 2 green plantains, cut into pieces
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 bunches culantro (or cilantro)
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp beef rib bouillon
• 2 tbsp seasoning blend
• 1 tbsp achiote
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1) Soak and start the beans

1. Soak the white beans overnight or at least for 1 hour.
2. Drain, then place the beans in a pot with enough water to cover and cook.

2) Add pork and vegetables

1. When the beans begin to soften, add the pork, green plantain, carrots, and all the seasonings (garlic, Worcestershire, sugar, bouillon, seasoning blend, achiote, and salt).
2. Continue cooking until everything is tender and well flavored.

3) Crisp the bacon base

1. Finely dice the bacon.
2. In a separate pan, melt the butter.
3. Sauté the onion until translucent.
4. Add the bacon and cook until lightly browned.

4) Finish and serve

1. Stir the bacon-onion mixture into the cooked beans.
2. Add the celery and culantro/cilantro, finely chopped.
3. Serve hot.

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Serving ideas

• Serve as a main dish with rice, tortillas, or fresh bread.
• Add a simple salad or pickled vegetables on the side.

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Notes

• Culantro has a stronger flavor than cilantro. If using cilantro, add a bit more to taste.
• If using pork skin, give it extra time to become tender.