Mexican Rice

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and vegan. It's almost too good to be true!

Ingredients:

1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes

2-3 cups water or vegetable broth

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 cups short grain brown rice

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1-2 teaspoon cumin

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can yellow corn, drained

sea salt, to taste

cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

1. If you're using dry black beans, instead of canned, cook according to directions on the package. I add a 3.5-inch piece of kombu* to shorten the cooking time.

2. Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid. Add enough water or broth to make 3 cups; set aside.

3. Heat oil in 4-quart heavy saucepan with tight-fitting lid.

4. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic; saute' briefly.

5. Add rice, cayenne and cumin (to taste); stir.

6. Add the 3 cups reserved liquid.

7. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes

8. Add tomatoes.

9. Cover and continue cooking 20 minutes.

10. Remove from heat; add drained beans and corn. Mix gently a little.

11. Let stand in covered pot for 10 minutes.

12. Fluff with fork. Add sea salt and cilantro to taste.

Note about ingredients:

*Kombu is edible kelp. A 3.5-inch piece has 2% of your Calcium RDA and 6% of your Magnesium RDA. It also has trace amounts of protein, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B9, Vitamins C, E and K. As a sea vegetable, it also contains iodine, glutamic acid, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. Adding a 3.5-inch strip to your dried beans for cooking helps to "predigest" the beans. This natural tenderizing renders the bean easier to digest and less likely to cause bloating and/or gas. According to this article, kombu can reduce blood cholesterol and hypertension too. Once the beans have completed cooking, you can simply remove the kombu and throw it in your compost pile. If it has completely dissolved into the beans, your family will never even notice and you will most likely have to add less sea salt to the final dish. If you're uncertain if you'd like the kombu to end up in the recipe, simple drain and rinse your beans and it will be your little secret as to how your beans turned out so well.

This is the brand I purchase. It is now more widely available and may be in your local health food store.