Rice and beans are staple foods in many parts of the world, and each ethnic group has a distinctive way of preparing them. In typical Spanish style, the dish includes cooked white rice, black beans or pinto beans, a spicy tomato sauce or salsa and sometimes vegetables or additional spices. With such a basic set of ingredients, Spanish rice and beans is a hearty, nutritious dish to throw together for a quick weeknight dinner or two people or ten.
Step 1
Pour 1/2 cup dry white rice into a small cooking pot on the stove. Add 1 cup of water to the pot, and turn the heat to high until the rice and water begin to boil.
Step 2
Turn the heat down to low and cover the pot. Let the rice cook for about 20 minutes, or until it is fluffy and the water in the pot has been absorbed. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes before you take it out of the pot.
Step 3
Mix 2 tbsp. salsa and a can of black beans, drained, in a second cooking pot while the rice is cooking. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat, and keep it at a constant simmer for about 30 minutes.
Step 4
Chop half of an onion and half of a bell pepper into small pieces. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into a saucepan, and set the pan over medium heat on the stove. When it's hot enough for the oil to swirl easily, add the onion and pepper pieces.
Step 5
Sauté the onion and pepper for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and beginning to brown.
Step 6
Combine the cooked rice, the bean mixture and the sautéed vegetables in a single pot. Serve the warm beans and rice with sliced avocado, guacamole, sour cream, Tabasco sauce, melted cheese, extra salsa or fresh cilantro.
Tips and Warnings
- The ingredient amounts above make enough rice and beans to serve two people as a main dish, but you can easily double the amounts to feed a family of four. To make a version of Spanish beans and rice that is appropriate for diabetics, try using salt-free seasoning in the dish and substituting white rice for brown, as the American Diabetes Association recommends. If you'd like to add more authentic Spanish flavor to your beans and rice, season them with Spanish paprika or Sofrito, a prepared collection of spices.
Things You'll Need
- 2 pots
- 1/2 cup dry white rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp. salsa
- 1 15-oz. can black beans
- Knife
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 bell pepper
- Olive oil
- Saucepan
- Spoon
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