Brown Rice with Black Beans & Salsa

 

If you follow my blog at all, you may know that I've been trying to incorporate some "meatless meals" 1-2 nights a week. This is one that I love! It's packed with protein, iron, folate, fiber, vitamin B, antioxidants and the "good fat" that avocados provide. I also love how it looks so festive! I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but that rule doesn't apply here. This one tastes just as good as it looks!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans or approx. 1 cup of dried black beans
  (NOTE: Be careful when buying black beans. Not all are treated equal! If you are going to use canned, make sure to check the ingredients and nutrition label. Look for no added salt and as little ingredients as possible. I like Eden's Organic Black Beans. I've also tried using dry, but they require a bit of planning as they need to be soaked in water overnight.)
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2-3 tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh salsa
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 avocado
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. canola oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Prepare 1/2 cup brown rice, as directed on package.
2. Halfway through rice being cooked (approx. 15 minutes after starting rice), heat pan with 1 tsp. canola oil over medium heat.
3. Add black beans, 1 tsp. paprika and 1 tsp. cumin to pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, add tomatoes, corn, salsa, cilantro, 1 tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, salt and pepper to bowl and mix together.
5. Add to pan with black beans and let simmer for 10 minutes.
6. When rice is done, combine with black bean/tomato mixture and heat on low for 1-2 minutes or until ready to serve.
7. Top with avocado slices and savor every bite!

What's for Lunch?

I've been on a huge mission lately to find some lunch ideas! There is a cafeteria in my office building so it makes it way too convenient to pass on the lunch packing and just grab something from the cafe every day. Unfortunately, this behavior is not the best for the wallet or the waistline. In an effort to do something about my bad habbit, I've been searching the internet for some lunch inspration! I found these AWESOME 3-compartment Bento lunch box containers:



Purchase here at Amazon

And this really cool lunch box (don't make fun.):



Purchase here at Amazon

Now I just needed some meal ideas.....  check out a sample of my most recent lunch ensembles:

 

Leftover Almond Crusted Chicken over a baby spinach salad
with wheat thins and hummus

 

 

Tuna Salad sandwich with cucumbers and red grapes
(I don't like my bread to get soggy, so I assembled the sandwich right before I ate)

 

 

Leftover Turkey Florentine Meatballs with carrots and red grapes

 

 

BBQ Chicken Salad with creamy greek yogurt dressing and strawberries

 

 

Leftover Brown Rice, Black Beans & Salsa with carrots and strawberries

 

 

Leftover BBQ Chicken Calzone with carrots and red grapes

 

 

Turkey Sandwich with veggies & hummus

 

 

Leftover Sweet Potato Stir Fry with pretzels and red grapes