Spring is just starting to sprout and, as we emerge from hibernation, what do we see? Presidential hopefuls for 2016 jockeying for position. This week, we take a look at Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
The handsome Rubio was elected to the upper house in 2010 and has been in the spotlight quite a bit since. His Cuban-American heritage gives him a unique insight into our bizarre recent relations with that often despotic country. His basic message is: Cuba, sí. Communism, not so much.
I decided to celebrate his free Cuban heritage in food (yummm) by making Cuban Rice & Beans. In the interest of better relations between our peoples, I also made it a little bit American.
Marco Rubio Cuban Beans and Rice
Here’s what you’ll need:[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”97287″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”480″,”style”:”float: right;”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”360″}}]]
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 bell pepper (most people use green, I like red, orange, and yellow)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (15.25 ounce) can of kidney beans (you don’t have to use canned beans, but this is America)
1 cup uncooked white rice
Here’s what you do:
• First, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, the kind that you find in a Floridian summer.
• Sauté onion, bell peppers, and garlic. We want a flavor as bold as his values.
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• When onion is translucent, add salt and tomato paste. This adds the richness of his experience.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”97291″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”480″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”360″}}]]
• Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 minutes.
• Maybe take an awkward sip of water while you wait, like Rubio famously did during his SOTU response.
• Drain the beans into a large measuring cup. Add enough water (preferably tap water, not right out of Florida’s Gulf Coast) to get to 2 1/2 cups.
• Add beans and rice to the saucepan and pour in the water.
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• Cover and cook on low for 45-50 minutes, or until rice is cooked. Dish and enjoy!
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So, what do you think? Will this delicious dinner be your go-to course for 2016 or will you wait to see what I’m cooking up next?
