Recipes

Habichuelas con dulce (Dominican sweet beans) recipe!

Sweet and creamy, this sweet cream of beans or habichuelas con dulce is the most popular dessert in the Dominican Republic during. Easter (semana santa), Holy Week, Lent (cuaresma). Made with red beans and coconut milk, it's truly delicious. Dominican sweet beans are usually made in very large quantities and share among relatives and friends. A dish that is unique to the island, this dessert is made of beans evaporated milk coconut milk sweet potato and delicious combination of spices.

Ingredients

• Red beans
• Coconut milk
• Evaporated milk
• Sugar
• Batata( Caribbean sweet potatoes)
• Cinnamon and cloves
• Vanilla extract
• Ginger
• Salt
• Dominican milk (Cookies Dominican)
• Raisins
• Cassava bread

Equipment

• Large pot
• Bowl
• Blender
• Stove
• Spoon

Instructions

Fill the large pot with cold water. Soak dry the beans in water overnight. The next day discard water in beans. Boil the beans in a large pot with plenty of water, adding water as needed until they are tender. Blend together the beans and water. if necessary add more water then pass the mixture through a strainer into a large bowl and set aside. Combine the beans, the coconut milk, and the evaporated milk. In a large pot over medium heat. When it breaks a boil, stir in the salt, sugar, Raisins, sweet potatoes, cinnamon stick, and vanilla. Let simmer, stirring occasionally for about 45 or 50 minutes or until the liquid reduces to desired thickness and the sweet potato is tender. Remove from the heat and let cool. Place in the refrigerator until it is cold and add the milk cookies (DOMINICAN GALLETAS). when ready to eat this can also be enjoyed with toasted (casabe) Cassava bread) instead. Can you eat it hot or cold (Habichuelas con dulce can be eaten warm or cold). Some people prefer it cold but I like it both ways. It doubles as a great warming dessert for those of us in colder climate or as a great way to cool off in the sunshine.