Black Beans and Rice

Beans are a staple in our house and have been ever since I was a kid.  Often served as a side dish or added to a pot of chili, we love our beans!  Back then, pinto beans and kidney beans were the norm.

Not until I started cooking myself, did I start to try other varieties of beans.  Black beans are a  favorite of mine and I add them to a lot of different recipes.

Earlier in the week, I shared a recipe for Chipotle Black Bean & Rice Soup.  I adapted that recipe to make a heartier dish.

Quick and easy to make, this deliciously frugal meal was a hit!

Black Beans and Rice
     adapted from: Chipotle Black Bean & Rice Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 T olive oil 
• 1 large onion 
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 
• 2 tsp. cumin 
• 2 chipoltes packed in adobo, diced 
• 14.5 oz Mexican style stewed tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups chicken stock 
• 1 cup water 
• 1 tsp. adobo sauce 
• 1/2 c. Minute Rice 
• sour cream (optional) 
• guacamole (optional) 

Directions: 

• Cook onion and chipotles in a small amount of oil. 
• When onion is just about tender, stir in the cumin and garlic powder.  
• Continue to cook until onions are tender.
• Pour in the chicken broth, tomatoes, water and adobo sauce. 
• Stir in one can of the beans. 
• In a bowl, mash the other can of beans with a fork, to desired consistency.  Add to soup.  
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  
• Remove from heat, stir in the uncooked Minute Rice (if using).  
• Cover and allow to sit for 10 minutes.  
• Serve hot.  Garnish with sour cream or guacamole if desired.  

Notes:  

• This turned out a little soupy for the first night, which was just fine for us.  I didn't want to risk using less liquid since I knew it would absorb when I put the leftovers away.  
• If you want to cook your rice separately, omit the water in this recipe and possibly decrease the broth a bit.  
• While we both enjoyed this as a meatless meal, we both thought it would be wonderful with some smoked kielbasa added!  

Mmm!  So good!  This was a perfect meal after working outside in the chilly fall air!  I will be making this one again!