mexican-inspired-rice-and-beans-recipe-healthy-one-pot-black-bean

Let me show you a simple Mexican-inspired rice and beans recipe you and your friends can enjoy.
➡️ Black beans are a good source of fiber, proteins, and vitamins.
Coupling with the fragrant basmati rice, peppers, cilantro, and lemon juice only ensures this meal is both aromatic and healthy at the same time.

The addition of strained tomatoes, cumin, paprika, and cayenne spices gives this dish the flavor we look for in Mexican-inspired meals.
➡️ This dish is for sure one of the easiest, most aromatic, and flavorful meals you could quickly fire up from your kitchen.
You now have one recipe in your back pocket you could go to whenever you need a Mexican-inspired meal or just to have an excuse to open that can of black beans in the back of your pantry.

💬 Is there another Mexican-inspired dish you'd like to see me prepare? Let me know in the comments below.

▶️ RECIPE INGREDIENTS: (4 servings approx.)

1 Cup / 200g White Basmati Rice (washed thoroughly with water)
2 Cups / 1 Can (540ml Can) Cooked Black Beans OR Pinto Beans (drained/rinsed)
3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 +1/2 / 200g Cup Onion - Chopped
1 Cup / 150g Green Bell Pepper - Chopped
1 Cup / 150g Red Bell Pepper - Chopped
2 Tablespoon Garlic - finely chopped
3/4 Cup / 175ml Strained Tomatoes / Passata / Tomato Puree
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or to taste
1 Cup / 125g Frozen Corn kernels (you can use fresh corn)
1 Cup / 240ml (LOW SODIUM) Vegetable Broth **OR AS REQUIRED
✅👉 (**NOTE - Sometimes one batch of basmati rice is drier than the other so add more liquid if needed. ADJUST ACCORDINGLY)
Salt to Taste (I have added total 1+3/4 Tsp of Pink Himalayan Salt)

Garnish:
1+1/2 cup / 100g Green Onion - chopped
1/2 to 3/4 cup / 20 to 30g Cilantro (Coriander leaves) or to taste - chopped
OPTIONAL - Lime or Lemon juice to taste (Taste the rice first and ADD ONLY IF IT’S NEEDED, I have added 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice as I like it a bit sour)
Black pepper to taste (I added 1/2 teaspoon)
Drizzle of extra virgin Olive oil (I have added 1 tablespoon of organic cold pressed olive oil)

▶️ METHOD:

Thoroughly wash the rice - a few times until the water runs clear. Drain 1 can of black beans. Set the rice and beans aside to drain any excess water.

(USE A WIDE POT TO COOK THIS DISH that way the rice will cook more evenly without getting mushy).

To a heated pot add olive oil, onion, red and green bell pepper, salt and fry on medium to medium high heat (depending on the heat of your stove) until the onions and pepper starts to brown. Adding salt to onion/peppers will release it's moisture and help it cook faster, so don’t skip it.

Once the onion starts to brown, add the garlic and fry for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Then add the strained tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne and mix well. Add the washed rice, cooked black beans, corn kernels, salt, vegetable broth and mix well. Bring to a boil and then cover and cook on low heat for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked (but not mushy).

Uncover and turn off the heat. Add the chopped green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, black pepper, drizzle of olive oil and mix it very gently because rice is very soft at this point and over mixing can cause the rice grains to break.