Frijoles Colorados (Cuban Red Beans)

If I can eat a single stew for the rest of my life, this would be it! This recipe was given to me by, my sister-in-laws mom. That lady is one good cook. No cookbooks, no Internet, just good old fashion Cuban cooking!

1 lb red beans
4-5 strips of bacon
2 spanish chorizos (cut into thick slices)
1 piece of steak (optional)
ham (cubed)
2 bay leaves
1-2 tbsp olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 can tomato sauce
2 potatoes
pumpkin (cut into pieces/ remove skin)
salt and pepper (to taste)
Total Seasoning (to taste)

- Fill pressure cooker halfway with water (or beef broth). Add beans, 1 sliced chorizo, cut steak, cubed ham, and 2 bay leaves. Cook on medium heat until it gets pressure. Then cook for an additional 20 minutes. (The original recipe also adds lacon (cured pork), but I never have that handy.)

-While beans are cooking, saute the bacon, then add garlic and onions. Once the onion gets a bit translucent, add the left over slices of chorizo. Yes, its oily, but oh so yummy! Cook for about 4-5 minutes on medium heat. Toss in the tomato sauce and stir together. Leave on simmer. This is called "SOFRITO."

***Be very careful opening pressure cooker***

- Open up the pressure cooker and check to see if the beans are tender. You want them to be soft, but not necessarily falling apart. If done, add the sofrito, and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes.

- Add seasonings (add to taste)

- Add potatoes (cut into chunks) and pumpkin. Cook for a few minutes, until tender.

I always leave mine on medium heat.