Tex-Mex Black Beans & Saffron Rice

Submitted by HeatherFeather

"After tasting this at a neighbor's Super Bowl party one year, I quickly scribbled down the recipe. This is a fairly simple dish to throw together and is a great accompaniment to Tex-Mex style dishes, although this isn't pretending to be any sort of authentic dish from any one particular region. I have made it many times over the years and this is a great dish for a potluck. Mahatma saffron rice comes in shiny yellow foil tubes in the rice section of your grocery store. I usually follow the microwave instructions for preparing the rice. I serve this as a side dish, but I think a Vegetarian who eats dairy would be able to enjoy this as a meal as well."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 2 (5 ounce) packages saffron rice mix, plus ingredients to prepare rice according to package directions (such as Mahatma brand)
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies (such as Ro-tel mild or spicy)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed well
• 1⁄4 cup sour cream, to taste
• 1⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)

directions

1. Prepare the saffron rice according to the package directions,using the amount of oil/butter and water as indicated on the package (I usually use olive oil).
2. While the rice is cooking, rinse& drain the black beans in a mesh strainer to remove all the sludgey canning liquid and dump them into a small saucepan.
3. Pour the entire contents of the diced tomatoes w/chili peppers,liquid and all,into the same pan with the beans and stir to combine.
4. Cover the saucepan with lid,turn on the heat to low, and let bean mixture heat while the rice cooks, stirring occasionally- it should be ready when the rice is done.
5. When the rice is fully cooked, pour it into a deep, medium sized casserole dish.
6. Pour bean mixture into the center of the rice, leaving a border of the yellow rice peeking out arounds the sides.
7. Place the sour cream in the center of the bean mixture in a dollop as a garnish (you can use more if you like).
8. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top of the sour cream and over the beans.
9. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves (optional) if you like and serve immediately.
10. NOTE: If you don't have access to canned diced tomatoes with chilis, then you can substitute an equal amount of chunky salsa, if you like.
11. You may wish to provide a bowl of additional sour cream as well as a bowl of more cheese for guests to add extra to each serving, but it isn't necessary.

Reviews

[Sharon123]

This dish was very tasty! I used diced tomato with cilantro and lime juice. I had this with a big salad. I think next time I will try it with salsa. Thanks!

 

[chia2160]

this was delicious! i followed the ingredients, even bought the prepackaged rice, and this was quick and easy

 

[Junebug]

This was easy to prepare and is a very flavorful dish. I used picante sauce instead of the rotel tomatoes. Actually, I cooked the rice (I only used about 1 1/2 bags of the rice called for.) and the bean mixture ahead of time. Layered it in the bowl as instructed. When I was getting ready to serve dinner I zapped it in the microwave, took it out and topped it with the sour cream and cheese. I put it back in just long enough to warm the cheese, not really melt it. I did eat it as an entree. I think next time I will use one bag of rice to one can of beans and go ahead and mix the rice, beans, and picante together. Heat, then top with the sour cream and cheese to cover the top of the casserole. I served this with a fruit salad and cornbread. Thanks HeatherFeather for a wonderful recipe that's going in my permanent collection!

 

[PickleLover]

very yummy, i made with only one package of rice since i am cooking for one person. Also i left out the cheese because i did not have any but the flavor combinations were great. I agree with the suggestion that this would be good with salsa in place of the tomatoes also. This is a good dish for something a little different.

 

[kssonrisa]

This had an excellent flavor overall, but I agree with Junebug. It was a bit dry because the ratio of rice to beans and tomatoes was off. I also added more cheese. Next time I will use only one bag of rice for this recipe.