El Salvadoran Casamiento

I don’t speak Spanish but after a little research, I learned that the word “casamiento” means both “marriage” and “a dish of rice and beans fried together.” It makes sense to me — the simple union of those two ingredients provides solid nourishment in many homes throughout the world. Add the flavor and health benefits of onion, garlic and pepper and it’s even more of a winning combination.

Like those I’ve recently shared from Vietnam, Zambia and Madagascar, this Operation Rice Bowl recipe provides an opportunity to relate to the common people in El Salvador through preparing a meal that many of them eat regularly. CJK

El Salvadoran Casamiento

(Operation Rice Bowl)

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Photo by Philip Laubner/CRS

1 onion, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can black beans, drained, liquid reserved

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 cups cooked rice

Heat oil in a large pot. Add the onions, bell pepper and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Add the drained beans, some of the reserved bean liquid and salt and pepper. Gently stir in the rice. Cook mixture over low to medium heat until warmed through. Adjust seasonings and add a little more liquid from the beans, if necessary. Serve hot.

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

A note from Carol: Operation Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program. Since 1975 it has connected Catholics in the United States with those in need around the world. ORB encourages participants to put the money they save from eating modest, meatless meals during Lent into a symbolic “rice bowl” to be donated to Catholic Relief Services to help members of our global family live better lives.

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Visit FFF tomorrow to see a video of Mary Gibbs, administrative manager at the Catholic Spirit, demonstrating how to make casamiento.