Caraotas(Venezuelan Black Beans) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. dry black beans
10 c. water
1/2 green pepper
2 small onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
corn oil
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Preparation

Soak the beans overnight in water with baking soda.
Add the green pepper and one of the onions to the beans and boil for 2 hours.
Then remove the green pepper and onion.
Mix the chopped onion with the garlic and brown in corn oil.
Pour the browned mixture into the beans and boil for 15 minutes.
Mash some beans to thicken the sauce.
Serve as soup or side dish with white rice. Bay leaf, laurel and cumin may be added to taste, also more garlic.