Southwestern Citrus Rice and Black Beans Delight
Experience a burst of Southwestern flavors with our Southwestern Citrus Rice and Black Beans Delight. This vibrant dish combines the earthiness of brown rice with the nutritious goodness of black beans, enhanced with colorful peppers and a tangy touch of lime. Perfectly spiced, this recipe is both heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly, making it a wholesome choice for family meals or dinner gatherings. Complete with shredded sharp cheddar and fresh cilantro, every serving promises a delightful medley that’s sure to impress.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
uncooked brown rice
3/4 cup (rinsed and drained)
ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon
vegetable stock or chicken stock
2 cups
medium onion
1 (chopped)
large jalapeno pepper
1 (seeded and diced)
medium bell pepper
1/2 (diced)
medium red bell pepper
1/2 (diced)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon
black beans
1 can (15 ounces) (rinsed and drained)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
olive oil
1 tablespoon
sharp cheddar cheese
2 ounces (shredded)
fresh cilantro
1/4 cup (snipped)
medium limes
2 (quartered)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring the vegetable or chicken stock to a rolling boil. Stir in the ground turmeric and rinsed brown rice.
2
Return the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. If necessary, add more stock or water to ensure the rice cooks through.
3
While the rice is cooking, heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
4
Add the chopped onion, diced jalapeno, diced bell peppers, and crushed red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Sauté for about 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and start to brown. Remove from heat.
5
Stir the rinsed black beans and ground cumin into the sautéed vegetable mixture. Season with salt to taste, mixing well.
6
Cover the bean mixture and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. After 5 minutes, stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
7
To serve, divide the turmeric rice into 4 equal portions, placing each portion on individual plates.
8
Top each serving of rice with the seasoned bean mixture. Finish with a sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro on top.
9
Serve with lime wedges on the side, allowing guests to squeeze fresh lime juice over their servings for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is Southwestern Citrus Rice and Black Beans Delight, a vibrant and flavor-packed meal.
What type of rice is used for this Southwestern dish?
The recipe calls for uncooked brown rice, which provides an earthy flavor and added fiber.
How long does it take to cook the brown rice?
The brown rice should simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as long as you choose vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Is the Southwestern Citrus Rice and Black Beans Delight gluten-free?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Can people with diabetes eat this dish?
Yes, this recipe is specifically noted as being diabetic-friendly and heart-healthy.
What kind of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one 15-ounce can of black beans, which should be rinsed and drained.
What ingredient gives the rice its unique color?
Ground turmeric is added to the boiling stock to give the brown rice a vibrant yellow color.
What type of stock should I use?
You can use either vegetable stock or chicken stock depending on your dietary preference.
How many limes are needed for serving?
The recipe requires two medium limes, quartered and served on the side for fresh juice.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
The dish is topped with 2 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Is this dish spicy?
The dish has a mild to moderate heat from the large jalapeno pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
How should the cilantro be prepared?
The cilantro should be fresh and snipped before being used as a garnish.
What spices are used to season the bean mixture?
The black beans are seasoned with ground cumin and salt to taste.
What types of bell peppers are included?
The recipe uses both half a medium bell pepper (green) and half a medium red bell pepper for color and flavor.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
A total of 1 tablespoon of olive oil is used, split between sautéing the vegetables and finishing the beans.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to bring the vegetable or chicken stock to a boil and stir in the turmeric and rice.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
The onion, jalapeno, and bell peppers should be sautéed for about 4 minutes until softened.
Should the jalapeno be seeded?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the large jalapeno should be seeded and diced.
How much brown rice is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of uncooked brown rice.
What should I do if the rice is still hard after 45 minutes?
If necessary, you can add more stock or water and continue cooking until the rice is tender.
How is the dish assembled for serving?
Divide the rice into 4 portions, top with the bean mixture, and then sprinkle with cheese and cilantro.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The medium onion should be chopped before being sautéed.
Why do you let the bean mixture rest for 5 minutes?
Letting the mixture rest allows the flavors of the cumin, peppers, and beans to meld together.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.
Can I use dry black beans instead of canned?
While the recipe calls for canned, you can use cooked dry beans; you will need about 1.5 to 2 cups of cooked beans.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe instructions suggest dividing the ingredients into 4 equal portions.
What makes this dish vibrant?
The combination of turmeric-stained rice, colorful red and green peppers, and fresh cilantro makes it visually vibrant.
Is there any added salt in the rice?
Salt is added to the bean mixture to taste, but the rice is primarily flavored by the stock and turmeric.
What is the role of the lime wedges?
The lime wedges are served on the side so guests can add a fresh, tangy citrus burst to their individual servings.