Sides

Casamiento (Salvadoran Rice and Beans)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

400g (2 cups) cooked red beans, with some cooking liquid reserved
500g (3 cups) cooked white rice, cooled
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp vegetable oil or lard
Salt, to taste

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and sauté the onion, bell pepper and garlic until softened, about 4 minutes.
Add the cooked beans along with a splash of their cooking liquid, and mash roughly with the back of a spoon.
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the beans are thick and fragrant.
Add the cooled rice and stir well to combine, breaking up any clumps.
Continue cooking for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice and beans are evenly combined and lightly toasted.
Season with salt to taste and serve warm.

Introduction:

Literally meaning 'marriage,' casamiento is the union of rice and beans fried together into one dish — a daily staple that appears at breakfast, lunch and dinner alike, standing in as the country's most fundamental side..

Cultural Background:

Tips:

Using rice that's been cooked and cooled (even overnight) prevents the dish from turning mushy when fried.

Variations:

Black beans can replace red beans in some regions; a few cooks stir in chopped cilantro at the end for freshness.

Storage:

Keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating:

Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water or oil, stirring until warmed through.

Nutrition:

Approx. 260 kcal, 8g protein, 8g fat, 40g carbohydrates, 7g fibre per serving.

FAQs:

Q: What's the difference between casamiento and gallo pinto?
A: They're closely related dishes found across Central America; casamiento is the Salvadoran name and often uses red beans specifically.

Q: Can I make this vegan?
A: Yes, it's naturally vegan as long as vegetable oil is used instead of lard.