Habichuelas (White Rice with Beans)

Ingredients

• •1 cup of pink beans
• •3 teaspoons of salt
• •1 medium potato
• •2 tablespoons of sofrito
• •1 ounce green bell pepper
• •2 bay leaves
• •5 green olives
• •2 ounces of smoked ham
• •1 teaspoon of olive oil
• •6 ounces of tomato sauce
• •3 1/2 quarts of water
• •2 tablespoons white vinegar

Directions

1. 1Wash the beans and soak in 2 quarts of water already mixed with the white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the beans soak overnight.
2. 2Rinse the beans and place in a pan with 1 quart of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until the beans have softened. Discard water used to soften the beans. Set aside
3. 3Peel and dice the potato into 1/4 inch size pieces. Set aside
4. 4Dice the smoked ham into 1/4 inch size pieces. Set aside.
5. 5Dice the green bell pepper into 1/8 inch pieces. Set aside
6. 6In a pan add the sofrito, 1 teaspoon of salt, tomato sauce, olives, smoked ham, potato, green bell pepper, bay leaves, olive oil, and 2 cups of water. Cook at moderate heat until it starts boiling. Lower to moderate low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir once while simmering.
7. 7Add the beans. Continue to simmer at moderate low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the beans are fully cooked. Stir every 15 minutes.