Vegetarian Black Beans aka Veg Feijoada

Ok, I'm late on this... in belated honor of mother's day I'm going to post my mother's vegetarian version of Brazilian black bean recipe which I love and have been dying to copy. It took a while but I broke my mother down and finally got her to reveal the recipe ... she may kill me for blogging this so if you don't hear from me.... 

My mother gave me a ton of things for the wedding, one of which happened to be a pressure cooker or "presto" as my mother loves to call it in her native tongue of Brazilian Portuguese. Typically, Feijoada is made with pork products so this is why I adore my mom's innovative ways in the kitchen by creating a veg version.

One thing I've realized is opening and closing this pressure cooker is the worst experience ever, since the lid has to be slid into the pot which is accomplished after a lot of cursing and force... I may not be doing this correctly. 

First take a cup of black beans and soak overnight.... they've turn a lovely shape of purple- toss anything that doesn't absorb water and looks like a rock as it may be a rock. 

 Sorry for the flash... I'm new to this whole 'taking pictures as you cook' thing

Then take your pressure cooker, hopefully you don't have to battle with the lid and drop the beans inside with water filled up to about 3'' from the top. Place one bay leaf (dried or fresh), whole garlic clove, pinch of salt and a drop of oil. 

 

That white stuff in the pot is coconut oil, which congeals when cold and we try to use instead of oil for a healthier option.

Make sure the pressure cooker rubber seal is properly in place and lock the lid. Place on to high fire for about twenty minutes. Gently shake the pot to ensure that the water hasn't dried out otherwise your black beans will be blackened beans and those taste terrible since I did burn them the first time I made them.  

To open, place the pressure cooker directly from the fire into the sink and run cold water over the lid. Touch the toggle piece at the top to see if it's safe to open, if there's still smoke coming from the toggle, don't open. If no smoke or heat, then slowly open it up as there will be a lot of steam. 

Transfer the beans to another pot and remove the now cooked onion and bay leaf and garlic if you can find it, it usually melts. Add 3 tablespoons tomato puree, salt to taste, 1 tablespoon Osem parve (vegetarian) chicken powder, and a drop of vinegar. Boil without lid until it becomes creamy. 

Once cooked up to the texture of your desire (some people prefer it heavier and some more watered) serve over rice or with a salad... we chose rice that night. 

Shopping list:

Black beans

Whole onion 

Bay leaf

Garlic clove

Vinegar 

Tomato puree

Oil

Salt

Osem chicken powder