Recipe:

Rice and Beans

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Serves 6

Gallo Pinto, or "spotted rooster," gets its name from the black beans and their dark liquid that speckle the rice. This national dish of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, served alongside fried eggs, meat, or plantains, is often flavored with Salsa Lizano, a beloved vegetable-based condiment. In the United States, Worcestershire sauce is a close substitute. This recipe was inspired by Maria Gonzales, a street food vendor and Whole Planet Foundation borrower, who lives in León, Nicaragua.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
3 cups water
6 tablespoons chopped cilantro, divided
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained, liquid reserved
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until opaque, about 2 minutes. Carefully add water and salt, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover pot and simmer, without uncovering or stirring, until rice is almost tender and liquid is just absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove pot from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff rice with a fork. Set aside.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the cilantro, garlic, onions, peppers, and salt and pepper and stir well. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add reserved rice, beans and 1/3 cup of the reserved liquid (discard remaining liquid), and Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently to coat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout, 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir in remaining 4 tablespoons cilantro and season with salt and pepper.

Transfer gallo pinto to bowls and serve, topped with a fried egg or a dollop of sour cream, if you like.

Nutrition

Per serving (About 10.5oz/296g-wt.): 310 calories (100 from fat), 11g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 9g protein, 56g total carbohydrate (9g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 780mg sodium

Tags: Family Friendly, Central/South American, Sugar Conscious, High Fiber, Dairy Free

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