Moros y Cristianos

Ingredients

• 1  bay leaf 
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper black
• 30 ounce black beans rinsed drained canned
• 3  garlic cloves minced
• 0.5 cup bell pepper green finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 0.5 cup ham chopped reduced-fat
• 14.5 ounce less-sodium fat-free canned
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 cup onion chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano 
• 2 cups parboiled rice long-grain (such as Uncle Ben's)
• 0.5 cup tomato sauce 

Equipment

• dutch oven

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add ham; saut 1 minute.
3. Add onion and garlic; saut 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and broth; bring to a boil.
4. Add rice and next 5 ingredients (rice through bay leaf); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf.
5. Sprinkle each serving evenly with bell pepper.
6. Garnish with a cilantro sprig, if desired.