Monday, March 26, 2007

Black Beans and Rice

I did a few online searches, but didn't find any recipes that looked good and matched the ingredients that we had in the pantry, so I cobbled a recipe together, and it turned out quite well. A little too much cayenne for Claire (so she had sour cream on hers), but Ben gobbled it up. Both Brian and I liked it. (Brian was not as impressed by the Trader Joe's marinade for the chicken - oh well, Claire ate that, too which is a big deal for her.)

Here is the recipe I came up with:

Black Beans and Rice

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon cumin, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a medium saucepan combine rice, 2 ¼ cups broth, ½ teaspoon of cumin and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, stir once. Cover tightly, reduce heat, and simmer 40 minutes.
  2. In a large saucepan, cook and stir onion and garlic in oil until tender and translucent, but not brown. Add tomatoes, beans, oregano, cayenne and remaining cumin. Bring to boil.
  3. Stir in rice and let mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

This week's menus

I find that I make many fewer trips to the grocery store, and dinner time is less harried if I plan this in advance.

Sunday - (I sent Brian to the store to get milk, bananas, and something to grill for dinner, this is what he came home with) grilled jumbo teriyaki shrimp, grilled tenderloin tip, grilled asparagus, salad
Monday - grilled chicken thighs (in Mojito marinade) with black beans and rice and salad
Tuesday - Thai Beef Tacos with Lime Cilantro Slaw (Cooking Light recipe)
Wednesday - homemade calzones
Thursday - Pork Chops with Ginger-Cherry Sauce (Cooking Light recipe) with roasted fingerling potatoes and green beans

Let's see if we stick to it. Now it's time to make my grocery list.