Moros y Cristianos (food)

Platillo Moros y Cristianos (or simply moros, moro, congri, or arroz moro) is a famous Cuban dish served at virtually every Cuban restaurant. It is the Cuban version of rice and beans, a dish found throughout the Caribbean, the US Southern States, and in Brazil.

Moros y cristianos means “Moors and Christians”. "Moors" refers to the black beans, and "Christians" to the white rice. The name of the dish is a reference to the Islamic invasion (early 8th century) of Spain and subsequent Reconquista (15th century) in which Spanish Christians led by noble families in the north of Spain were able to force the Islamic invaders from the south of Spain back into Africa. In Spanish (and later Cuban tradition) it is to remind people of the years of oppression under Islamic rule.

First the moros are boiled in water. Next the rice is cooked in another pot with some of the water from the beans. Onions, garlic, bell pepper, oregano and bay (laurel) leaf are commonly cooked as a sofrito beforehand and added to the dish to give additional flavor.

Traditionally, Moros y Cristianos have been differentiated from congrí by being prepared separately to represent white rice as the Christians, and the black beans as the Moors. Each is cooked and served separately and only joined when you are ready to eat. Congrí is an African influence where both rice and beans are cooked together.

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Wikipedia