PRESSURE COOKER BLACK BEANS AND SAUSAGE
My Brazilian take on the traditional black beans soup! Affordable, nutrient-packed, family-friendly, and toddler approved, this meal is ALWAYS celebrated in my household!
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker (or Instant Pot)
- Potato Masher
- Deep Cooking Pan
Materials
- 2 lbs Dry Black Beans
- 4 Sausages (and/or bacon)
- 5 fresh Bay Leaves
- 1 medium Onion (white or yellow)
- 3 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Start early in the day. Sort your beans, taking out any bad grains. Put them in a bowl, wash it twice and fill the bowl with water.
- You can choose how long you want them to soak (if at all). I usually soak them for 6 hours, changing the water once.
- Now, it's time to cook! Drain your beans (no need to rinse), and add them to your pressure cooker.
- Add the sausage chopped into small pieces, add the bay leaves, and fill it with water. The water should be over your beans by about 1 inch, giving them room to expand.
- Most automatic pressure cookers come with pre-set time and temperature. If you are using a manual pressure cooker, it should be over medium heat, and it should cook for about 30-40 minutes.
- CAUTION: BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH THE PRESSURE COOKER, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A MANUAL ONE.
- Once your beans are cooked, turn off the pressure cooker (or turn off heat) and don't touch it for about 20-30 minutes until the pressure comes off. If you are familiar with a pressure cooker and feel comfortable with letting the pressure off, then go for it.
- While that is happening, it's time to prepare your seasoning! In a deep pan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
- Add the onions finely chopped and saute until it's soft. Before it starts goldening, add your garlic and saute together.
- Once the onions and garlic are golden brown, add your cumin, salt and pepper.
- After the pressure is off and your safety pin is down, it's safe to open the pressure cooker. Carefully, start scooping out your beans and transferring them from the pressure cooker into your deep pan.
- Once all your beans are in with the seasoning, stir well.
- Using the potato masher, mash the beans together for a few minutes, until most of your beans have been squished. Stir well and watch it transform into an amazing, creamy bean soup.
- Turn off the heat and voila!
- Serve with farofa for optimal gastronomical experience. Be careful: the explosion of flavors may overwhelm you! ;)