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
- ¼tsp. 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 cups water
- ½ c. chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the beans in a medium saucepan and heat on medium low. Let them heat through while you move on to the rice.
- Heat oil in large non-stick pot on medium high heat until oil is fluid and hot.
- Add the rice and then the garlic, stirring until the rice is slightly golden (being careful not to burn the garlic).
- Add the water, salt, and lime juice and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- You want the rice tender with a little bite. A little bit of water left in the pot is okay, but if after the 15 minutes you peek and see too much water, just keep it simmering a bit longer until it cooks down.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the rice sit uncovered for 10 minutes. This rest will help any moisture absorb and will give it the texture you’re looking for.
- Lastly, add the 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:)