A perfect pair
I am addicted to this recipe. To me it's the perfect dinner. Rice, which is my all-time favorite staple ingredient, mixed with black beans and cooked in a rich tomato, cumin and chili powder sauce with a touch of heat from the seeded jalapenos. Not only does it taste delicious, but it cooks up fast. Serve this as a main dish with a tasty salad or as a side on taco night.
Mexican Rice and Beans
Serves 2 to 4
1 cup long grain white rice
1 3/4 cups water
1 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 jalapenos, halved, seeded and minced
4 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons cumin powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1. In a small pot, bring water, rice and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat. As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover and set a timer for 12 minutes. Set aside.
2. While the rice cooks, heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add oil, garlic and jalapenos; cook until jalapenos have slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder and the remaining teaspoon of salt. Cook and stir until all the liquid has been cooked out of the tomatoes and it has turned it into a thick sauce, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the cooked rice, black beans, lime juice and cilantro. Gently stir until everything is combined. Season to taste with salt.
Tasty tips
--You can substitute brown rice for the white rice for more whole grains. Follow the instructions on the bag for cooking 1 cup of rice. It will take a bit longer to cook.
--If you'd like it spicy, you don't need to seed the jalapenos
--Any cooked bean will work in this recipe, especially pinto beans or kidney beans.
(Kary Osmond is a Canadian recipe developer and former television host of the popular daytime cooking show "Best Recipes Ever." Her easy recipes include helpful tips to guide you along the way, and her love of plant-based cooking offers healthy alternatives to some of your favorite dishes. Learn more at www.karyosmond.com.)
