Habichuelas con dulce (Sweet Beans)

One of the Dominican Republic’s most cherished traditions.
This unique dish is prepared in large quantities during Lent and shared with relatives and neighbors.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup raisins
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 cups soft boiled red kidney beans
• 3 cups water from boiling the beans
• ½ lb (225 grams) sugar
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3 cups evaporated milk
• ½ lb (225 grams) sweet potatoes diced in small cubes
• 10 cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup ‘galletitas de leche’

Preparation :

Put the soft beans and water through the blender.
Strain the beans to get rid of the skins.
Place the beans, the coconut milk and half the milk in a pot and bring to a boil.
Add the rest of the milk, sugar, cinnamon sticks, raisins and sweet potatoes and boil on low heat for 20 minutes.
Stir regularly to avoid sticking.
Add the rest of the ingredients and boil to a creamy consistency.

Serve:
Chilled with the ‘galletitas de leche’ cookies.

Source: Dominican Cooking