Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

CaribbeanAuthentic Cuisine

Caribbean Bean Stew 2

Serves 4 to 6 Entree vegetarian

Caribbean Bean Stew 2

Caribbean Bean Stew 2 finds its place at home tables across the islands, where cooking is guided by intuition and taste rather than precise measurements. This dish, passed down and shared among family cooks, is a staple not reserved for special occasions but enjoyed any day when warmth and comfort are needed. It's a reflection of everyday Caribbean life, where meals are made from the heart and shared with those around you.

Expect a rich, savory depth from the tomato paste, balanced by the earthy undertone of the beans. The generous use of oil gives it a luscious texture, while the onion adds a subtle sweetness. Salt and black pepper are added with a seasoned hand, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned. The stew is meant to be enjoyed communally, inviting everyone to savor its homely, satisfying flavors.

Ingredients

  • 400 gdried beans — soaked
  • 1onion
  • 2 tbsptomato paste
  • 80 mloil
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Rinse 400 g of dried beans under cold water, removing any debris or damaged beans. Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Allow them to soak overnight or for at least 8 hours until they have doubled in size and become tender to the touch.
  2. Dice 1 onion finely and set it aside. Drain the soaked beans and rinse them again under cold water. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat 80 ml of oil over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add 2 tbsp of tomato paste to the softened onions. Stir well to combine, allowing the tomato paste to cook and deepen in color, which should take about 2 minutes. This step helps to develop a rich base flavor for the stew.
  4. Add the drained beans to the pot, stirring to coat them with the onion and tomato mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the stew to cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the stew has thickened, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours. The beans should be soft but not mushy, and the liquid should have a creamy consistency.
  6. Season the stew with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well and let it cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste again to adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  7. Once the stew has reached the desired consistency and flavor, remove it from the heat. Serve the Caribbean Bean Stew 2 in bowls, making sure each serving has a generous amount of beans and sauce. Enjoy it warm, ideally with friends or family.
Cover of Authentic Caribbean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Caribbean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Caribbean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Caribbean cuisine