Black Beans & Rice

My husband absolutely loves black beans & rice. He is home right now and is tying to make my rice recipe. While I gave him the instructions over the phone - I am nervous. So, this post is for you love.

Ingredients:

1-2 cans of canned black beans

1 small yellow onion - sliced and chopped thin

1 red, yellow or orange pepper - diced or sliced thin

2 garlic cloves peeled then mashed or 2 TBL refrigerated garlic mash

1 teaspoon cumin

1 TBL dried oregano

pinch of Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence

Optional - 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

Dash - hot sauce

olive oil

1 TBL butter

salt & black pepper

Directions:

In a skillet on medium heat add the olive oil and butter. When the butter melts add the onions and peppers and sauté until soft. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

If using corn add next along with all the spices.

Next add the black beans - with their juices or drained.

Once the beans are hot add the hot sauce, a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Taste - adjust seasonings as you like.

If desired using a potato masher crush no more than 1/3 of the beans. Continue to cook until you have your desired texture. Some like their beans drier than others.

Serve the black beans next to or on-top of cooked rice. Finish, with chopped scallions, chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped parsley, celantro or even sour cream. You can even squeeze a fresh lime slice over the hot beans before serving.

BASMATI RICE:

Add 1 cup of dry rice into a pot that has 1 TBL of hot olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and toast the rice for 2-3 minutes. Stir the rice once or twice.

Add next 1 3/4 cup of water into the hot pan. You should hear a sizzle.

Bring the rice to a light boil. Once you have a light boil COVER the pot and turn the heat to the lowest setting.

Simmer rice for 15 minutes. No peeking!

After 15 minutes — turn the heat off. KEEP THE POT COVERED & set the timer to 10 minutes. Once the timer goes off you can take the cover off and fluff the rice with a fork. You will have perfectly cooked rice without the rice being sticky.

ENJOY!!