MY TASTY SIDE FOR TODAY- GREAT NORTHERN DRY STEWED BEANS!

These beans are so good they can be eaten alone, like a soup/stew, smile. I usually make this dish and serve it with parboiled rice, placing the beans either on top or on the side of the rice. As an option, you can also add sautéed ham or sausages to the beans while cooking them. Remember that they are dry beans and needs to be soften before cooking them.
 
Category:  SIDE
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:  30 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $5.99 or .60 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free   __X__   Vegetarian __X__ 
Servings: 10+
 
Ingredients
1- 16oz. of dry great northern beans softened ($3.99)
1 tsp. Angie’s dry seasoning (.20)
1 tsp. Adobo Bohio (.20)
1 tsp. Sazón (.20)
2 Sofrito cubes (.50)
2 tbsp. Angie’s Achióte (See the recipe below) (.40)
¾ c. Tomato sauce (or more to-taste) (.50)
 
Directions
To soften the bean, follow the package directions. It is important to bring the beans and water to the first boil, then, discard the water, add fresh water and place back in the stove to soften.
Then, when they are softened, in a medium size pot add the Achióte oil, softened beans, my dry seasoning, Adobo Bohio, Sazón, 2 Sofrito cubes and tomato sauce.
Add some of the beans water to cover the beans about an inch higher.
Bring all to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 15 minutes.
The beans sauce should be thicker now. DONE!
 
 NOTE:
In this recipe I am only using half of the softened beans and freezing the other half to cook in another time.
Also, I am using a quick version of my long beans recipe, therefore, I am skipping the sautéing the onion, garlic, smoked ham, pumpkin or, potato cubes …etc.
Instead, I am using my Sofrito cubes, Achióte and Sazón all in one pot with the beans.
 
 ACHIOTE TO BOOST COLOR and FLAVOR NATURALY without ADDITIVES RECIPE!
Achióte (or Annatto) is a natural ingredient found in the pulp that covers the seeds of a native Caribbean tree.
 
Ingredients
1 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or my Basting Olive Oil)
½ c. Achióte seeds
 
Directions
Simmer the oil with the seeds for about 4 to 5 minutes. Allow it to cool.
Strain the oil and discard the seeds. Place in a glass container and use the amount that you typically would use (oil) in your savory meals to add color. For instance, use it to color rice, beans, stews, orzo, seafood, well, anything you want to add that golden color to.
 
NOTE: You can find the Achióte seeds at any Spanish market, or Walmart, well, plenty of places or on-line.
 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil
Angie’s Homemade Pesto   http://www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/angies-homemade-basil-pesto-sauce