MEXICAN RICE AND BEANS

I am back again with quite a simple but filling recipe of rice and beans. I think it's a good way to end your weekend with a warm and hearty bowl of rice & sweet-tangy beans - a perfect comfort food !

Heart warming rice and beans

Ingredients (for sweet & tangy beans) :-

3/4 cup of pinto/black/red beans
1 medium red onion, chopped fine
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 1/2 tsp honey
salt to taste
2 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp red chili powder or according to taste
2 tsp tomato ketchup

Process :-

1.  Soak beans overnight.  Add salt and pressure cook with

4-5 whistles till they turn soft. If using stove top, add salt       and cook for about 30-40 mins. till soft.

I have used pinto beans

2.  Heat olive oil in a deep pan, add onion and let it saute for 3-4 mins. till translucent. Now add garlic and saute for a     minute or so.

3.  Add beans and rest of the ingredients, mix properly. Add   salt if required (we have already added salt while               cooking the beans). The beans will taste sweet and tangy,     garnish with cilantro if you wish.

Sweet & Tangy beans

Ingredients (for mexican rice) :-


1 cup brown rice, washed and soaked for 30 mins, then drained
2 cups water
1 garlic clove
1 small tomato
1 small onion
2 jalapenos
1 1/2 tbsp oil
2-3 squirts of lemon juice
salt
handful of cilantro, chopped

Process :-


1.  Grind garlic, tomato, onion and jalapenos into a fine paste.

2.  Note that brown rice takes more time to cook than white rice.

3.  Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat, add rice and fry it for 3-4 mins stirring continuously.

Mexican rice

4.  Add the blended paste, stir for a minute then add salt and water. Stir it for one more  time, close the lid and pressure cook with 4-5 whistles till the rice is soft and fluffy.

If using a pan instead of a cooker, cook for 20-25 mins. till rice is soft and tender.

5.  Add lemon juice and garnish with coriander.


Process for rice and beans :-

1.  In addition to the above two, you will need a generous dollop of sour cream, mexican blend cheese, hot sauce - to spice things up, 1 grilled Jalapeno pepper (optional) and tortilla chips for the crunch (optional)

Sour cream and grilled Jalapeno

2.  Place a nice helping of beans on the serving plate/bowl. Add sweet tangy beans as much as you like. Garnish it with a dollop of sour cream , grilled Jalapeno pepper slices for the spice. Jazz it up with nice amount of low fat cheese and crush some tortilla chips on the top for crunch. Relax and enjoy your warm bowl of rice and beans with your favorite movie !!   ¡buen provecho!

Mexican rice and beans