Quick and Easy Vegetarian Rice and Beans

This vegetarian, gluten free rice and bean meal may be quick and easy, but it is certainly not short on taste. We love this meal. I can usually throw it together in about thirty-five minutes from beginning to end including the cook time! This is a great recipe for when you are running short on time, but still want something healthy.

Sauteed in onion, garlic, cumin, cilantro, parsley and optional jalopeno, the black beans are exceptionally delicious ,and the Basmati rice adds an aromatic exotic flavor.


Just for the record, black beans are high in fiber, packed with  protective antioxidants, low in calories, low in fat, high in protein and minerals. And when it comes to the pocketbook, what could be more cost effective? An organic can of black beans is about a dollar, or if you cook your own, a bag of dried beans is a little over a dollar. You get a good amount of nutrition for your buck. Most of all black beans taste great!

 "Ounce for ounce, black beans have the same amount of protein as beef but contain no cholesterol, are packed with anti-oxidants, essential fatty oils, and fiber, and have only a third of the calories."( Stated in   Cooking With Trader Joe's by Dean Gunn and Wona Miniati )

Directions:
Cook 1 cup of Basmati rice according to directions ( or make 2 cups if you are big rice eaters) and set aside



Ingredients for beans.
Cooking oil Spray
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped or 1 small can tomatoes, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
8  cups of cooked beans ( about 4 1 pound cans, drained)
2 tsp of cumin
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1/4 cup fresh parsely, chopped fine
Pepper to taste
Juice of 1/2 large lemon

Directions:

While rice is cooking, chop the garlic, onions, tomato, cilantro, and parsley to get ready to saute for beans.

In a large skillet, saute onion, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil spray and additional olive oil until they begin to mingle well and become a little saucy. Add cooked beans, cilantro, parsley, cumin and lemon juice and cook together until the beans are hot. Serve immediately with the Basmati Rice. If you want even more flavor, you could make a bottle of Good Seasons Salad dressing ( use balsamic vinegar for the mix) and pour some of the salad dressing on the over the beans! yum!





If you are a black beans lover, check out another amazing recipe, Eggplant Chili with Black Beans! Yum!