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Export 15 ingredients for grocery delivery
Step 1
1 Place the beans in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot along with the water, onion, green bell pepper and cubanelle pepper
Step 2
2 Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, maintaining gentle bubbling, until the beans are tender yet still retain their shape (test the beans for doneness; the range in time depends somewhat on how fresh the beans are)
Step 3
3 Drain, reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid
Step 4
4 Discard the flavoring vegetables; the yield of beans is 2 cups
Step 5
5 Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear
Step 6
6 Drain well
Step 7
7 Heat the oil in the same pot over medium heat
Step 8
8 Add the diced bacon and cook for about 3 minutes, until golden
Step 9
9 Add the onion, green bell pepper, cumin, oregano and bay leaf; cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion has softened
Step 10
10 Add the rice and stir to coat thoroughly
Step 11
11 Add the beans and their reserved cooking liquid, the sherry vinegar and salt
Step 12
12 Stir well, then taste for seasoning; add a dash more vinegar, cumin, oregano and/or salt, as needed
Step 13
13 The liquid should be flavorful
Step 14
14 Cook, uncovered, for 8 to 12 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed and small holes have formed on the surface of the rice
Step 15
15 Fluff the rice with a fork, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly and cook for 20 minutes
Step 16
16 Remove from the heat, uncover and let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving
Step 17
17 Discard the bay leaf
Step 18
18 Top each portion with cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges, if desired