Cilantro Lime Rice & Fiesta Black Beans
Yield 8 servings
I created this recipe when I was craving cilantro lime rice and beans from my favorite burrito chain. This stuff is such a close comparison that I shocked myself a little bit. The key is to use real stuff (freshly squeezed lime juice-not the kind that you find in the little plastic lime bottle, fresh cilantro, etc). I love to serve this as a side to any of my favorite Mexican dishes and also makes a great base for a homemade burrito bowl. The ingredient list almost looks too good to be true because it is so simple….but trust me, it is DANG good! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do:)
Ingredients
Beans:
- 3 cans (15 oz.) of black beans (2 drained, 1 undrained)
- ¾ tsp. each of salt, cumin, chili powder
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
Rice:
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves-grated (with a micro plain, if you don’t have one, just mince it)
- 2 c. uncooked long grain rice
- 2 ½ tsp. salt
- juice of 1 lime
- zest of 1 lime (the shiny green part grated from the outer peel) Tip: grate the lime before you juice the lime
- 4 ½ cups water
- ½ c. chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the beans in a medium sauce pan and heat on medium low. Now it’s time to focus on the rice while the beans heat through.
- Heat oil in large non-stick pot on medium heat until oil is fluid and runny but not yet smoking. NON-STICK pot is important for this one, let’s just say I learned this the hard way;)
- Add the rice and garlic, stirring for a minute or two until garlic is fragrant. Watch carefully as the rice and garlic can burn quickly. If garlic turns brown, you’ve burned it.
- Add the water, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes, partially covered. Stir occasionally.
- Check to make sure the water has absorbed and that the rice is the right consistency (tender but not mushy).
- Remove from heat and let sit, uncovered for 10 minutes. (This step is important, it will help with the absorption of the liquid and consistency of the rice).
- Add lime zest and cilantro stirring and fluffing with a fork.
So good Molly! I made it tonight, and it is definitely going to be in our regular meal rotation! Love it!!
Yay!!! Thank you Holly, I’m so glad you enjoyed it:)