Cuban-Style Black Beans and Rice

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Try this easy-to-follow recipe and enjoy one of Cuba’s most famous dishes. Full of protein and flavor, Cuban-style black beans serve as a meal in themselves, or as a delicious side dish. By dry roasting the brown rice, you will enhance its flavor and increase its natural sweetness. Serve as a main course or side dish.  Serves 4-6
Ingredients:

  • 2 cups organic brown rice
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 organic red bell pepper, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce) organic diced tomatoes with their liquid
  • 3 cups organic (cooked) black beans, drained
  • Sea salt, to taste and ground pepper, to taste
  • Chopped, fresh cilantro for garnish (optional) and/or 1 lime, cut in 4-6 wedges for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cool running water. Heat a stainless steel or cast iron skillet over low heat and add rice. Dry roast the rice for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is dry and aromatic.

Place the roasted rice in a pot. Add the water and salt and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until the water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat. For fluffier rice, after the rice comes to a boil, place it in a covered casserole dish and place in a preheated 225°F oven for one hour.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. When pan is hot, add olive oil. Add the onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper, garlic and chili powder. Continue to sauté for 2 more minutes. Reduce heat to low, add diced tomatoes and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Add beans and simmer 5 minutes longer to heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serve beans over brown rice with cilantro and lime wedges.

Per serving (About 19oz/529g-wt.): 430 calories (50 from fat) | 6g total fat | 1g saturated fat | 14g protein | 84g total carbohydrate (11g dietary fiber, 6g sugar) | 0mg cholesterol

Recipe compliments of www.wholefoods.com.