Description
Hearty Mexican rice and beans combine classic flavors from Mexico’s culinary traditions. Rich ingredients offer a comforting meal you can savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups / 1 can (540 ml) cooked black beans or pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup / 200 g white basmati rice (thoroughly washed)
- 1 cup / 125 g frozen corn kernels (or fresh corn)
- 1 cup / 240 ml low-sodium vegetable broth (or as required)
- 1 ½ cups / 200 g onion, chopped
- 1 cup / 150 g green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup / 150 g red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsps garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- ¾ cup / 175 ml strained tomatoes / passata / tomato puree
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 ¾ tsps pink himalayan salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups / 100 g green onion, chopped (garnish)
- ½ to ¾ cup / 20 to 30 g cilantro (coriander leaves), chopped (garnish)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (drizzle)
- Optional: lime or lemon juice to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly rinse rice until water runs clear, drain completely. Separately, drain black beans and set aside.
- Sautéing Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil and introduce diced onions and bell peppers with a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until vegetables develop rich caramelized edges, creating a flavor foundation.
- Spice Integration: Add minced garlic and toast briefly. Incorporate strained tomatoes, cumin, paprika, and cayenne, blending into a robust and aromatic spice mixture that will infuse the entire dish with depth.
- Liquid Combination: Merge washed rice, prepared black beans, sweet corn kernels, and vegetable broth into the spiced base. Stir carefully to distribute ingredients evenly. Bring to a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to allow gentle cooking.
- Steaming and Flavor Absorption: Cover pot, reduce temperature to low. Allow rice to steam and absorb surrounding flavors for 15-18 minutes, ensuring grains remain tender yet distinct.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, gently folding to preserve rice’s delicate texture.
- Resting and Serving: Let dish rest, covered, for five minutes to allow flavors to harmonize. This versatile preparation maintains excellent quality when refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Washing rice removes excess starch, preventing clumpy texture and ensuring each grain remains separate and fluffy.
- Caramelize Vegetables Carefully: Sautéing onions and peppers slowly develops deep, rich flavors that form the foundational taste of the dish.
- Spice Timing Matters: Add garlic and spices briefly to prevent burning, releasing maximum aromatic compounds without creating bitter undertones.
- Rest and Meld Flavors: Allowing the dish to sit covered after cooking helps ingredients blend, intensifying overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg