Rice Beans with Spices (Printable)
Hearty combination of fluffy rice, creamy beans, and warming spices for a fulfilling dish.
# What You Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice or brown rice
→ Legumes
02 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Spices & Seasonings
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp chili powder
09 - ½ tsp ground coriander
10 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Liquids
13 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water
→ Herbs & Garnishes
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp lime juice
# How-To Steps:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well to remove excess starch.
02 - In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds to release their essential oils.
05 - Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to coat each grain with the spiced oil mixture.
06 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and cook for 15 minutes for white rice or 35-40 minutes for brown rice, until all liquid is absorbed.
07 - Gently fold in the drained beans. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of humble comfort food that somehow manages to feel special every single time
- The spice blend turns ordinary pantry ingredients into something you will crave on busy weeknights
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers or you will release the steam that makes it perfectly fluffy
- Letting the spices cook in the hot oil for those 30 seconds makes the difference between flat and phenomenal flavor
03 -
- Use brown rice for extra fiber and nuttiness, but increase the cooking time and add more broth
- A squeeze of lime right before serving brightens all the rich spices perfectly