EZ Fiesta Rice
A convenience recipe with good nutrition and comfort food appeal. Fresh herbs and vegetables might be substituted, but the goal was to select most ingredients from the cupboard (important for emergency planning). Fresh herbs (like cilantro), diced green onions, and shredded cheese might be served as condiments.
Spicier salsa is an option (maybe not for a brunch); briefly microwaved jalapeño peppers also complement these flavors: remove white flesh and seeds for less heat, rinse well, then chop or slice and microwave about 3-5 min. in a covered bowl; stir into rice with salsa or serve as a condiment.
Ingredients:
1 cup organic brown rice*
2 cups water
1 tbsp dried cilantro
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic granules
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1/3 cup water
16oz jar mild chunky salsa**
25oz can red kidney beans, rinsed
* Try short grain brown rice.
** Try Pace Chunky Mild Salsa.
Directions:
In a medium sauce pan, rinse brown rice, then drain and add 2 cups water.
Bring water to a boil, reduce heat, cover pan*, and simmer (without stirring)
until all water is absorbed (about 35 min.).
Stir rice briefly, sprinkle on herbs and spices, then stir to mix.
Pour on salsa, rinse jar with 1/3 cup water and add to rice.
Stir salsa into rice, then fold in red kidney beans.
If serving hot, cover pan and warm on low heat about 20 min.,
stirring occasionally. Otherwise, allow to cool, then spoon into
a container having a lid and refrigerate.
* a stainless steel heat diffuser with small holes is an ideal pan cover
for cooking brown rice (prevents boiling over at lower temperatures).
Rod