Savory Chili-Spiced Kidney Beans & Brown Rice
Discover the delightful blend of flavors in this hearty vegan dish featuring red kidney beans and brown rice, inspired by the classic flavors of a beloved Southern favorite. This recipe takes the essence of beans and rice, enhancing it with the warmth of chili powder, the earthiness of cumin, and a touch of brightness from fresh green onions. Perfect as a filling main course or a nutritious side, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also satisfies your taste buds while providing a healthy dose of protein and fiber. Serve it as a base for your burritos complemented with queso blanco, sautéed spinach, and tofu for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
brown rice
1 cup (uncooked)
water
2 cups (for cooking rice)
salt
1 dash (to taste)
red kidney beans
1 (16-ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for mixing with beans)
chili powder
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
garlic salt
1 dash (or substitute with a mix of regular salt and garlic powder)
green onion
1/2 cup (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 2 cups of lightly salted water to a boil.
2
Add 1 cup of brown rice to the boiling water. Loosely cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 40 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
3
Fluff the cooked brown rice with a fork and transfer it to a separate bowl to keep warm.
4
In a small bowl, place the rinsed and drained kidney beans and mix them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until well coated.
5
Return the same pot to low heat and add the oiled kidney beans. Gently heat them without boiling, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin, and a dash of garlic salt. Stir well and let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes, ensuring the spices infuse the beans.
7
Remove the pot from heat and combine the spicy beans with the warm brown rice and chopped green onions. Toss gently to mix.
8
Serve warm, either on its own or as a delicious base for burritos topped with your choice of additional toppings.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chili-Spiced Kidney Beans & Brown Rice?
It is a hearty vegan dish featuring red kidney beans and brown rice, inspired by Southern flavors and enhanced with chili spices.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes, this dish is entirely vegan.
How much brown rice do I need?
You will need 1 cup of uncooked brown rice.
How much water is required for the rice?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of water.
How long does the brown rice take to cook?
It takes about 40 minutes to simmer until tender and the water is absorbed.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one 16-ounce can of red kidney beans.
How should the kidney beans be prepared?
The kidney beans should be rinsed and drained before being mixed with olive oil.
Why is olive oil used with the beans?
Olive oil is used to coat the kidney beans before heating them to help the spices adhere and meld the flavors.
What spices provide the flavor for the beans?
The dish is seasoned with chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic salt.
How much chili powder should I add?
Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
What is the amount of ground cumin needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
What can I use as a substitute for garlic salt?
You can substitute garlic salt with a mix of regular salt and garlic powder.
How should the rice be treated after cooking?
Once cooked, the rice should be fluffed with a fork and kept warm in a separate bowl.
Should the kidney beans be boiled?
No, the beans should be heated gently on low heat without boiling.
How long should the spice mixture cook with the beans?
Let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes to ensure the spices infuse the beans.
What garnish is used for this dish?
The dish is garnished with 1/2 cup of chopped green onions.
Is this recipe a good source of fiber?
Yes, both brown rice and kidney beans make this a fiber-rich meal.
Can this dish be served as a main course?
Yes, it is a filling main course, but it also works well as a nutritious side.
How can I use this recipe to make burritos?
You can use the bean and rice mixture as a base and top with queso blanco, spinach, and tofu.
What heat level is used for simmering the rice?
The rice should be simmered on medium-low heat.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, the instructions are straightforward and it is classified as an easy recipe.
Does this recipe provide protein?
Yes, it provides a healthy dose of protein from the kidney beans.
What type of pot is recommended for cooking the rice?
A heavy-bottomed saucepan is recommended.
When should I add the green onions?
Combine the chopped green onions with the spicy beans and warm rice after removing the pot from the heat.
Is the water for the rice salted?
Yes, the water should be lightly salted before boiling.
Should I cover the pot while the rice simmers?
Yes, the pot should be loosely covered while the rice cooks.
What is the intended serving temperature?
The dish should be served warm.
Can I add other toppings?
Yes, you can add your choice of additional toppings, especially if serving as burritos.
How do I combine the final components?
Toss the spicy beans, warm brown rice, and chopped green onions together gently to mix.