RECIPE

Black-Bean and Yellow-Rice Salad

  • Contributed by Quick from Scratch Vegetable Main Dishes
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

While perfectly delicious as is, this festive bean-and-rice salad also lends itself to endless variation. Replace the tomatoes with diced avocado; switch the bell pepper from green to red; stir in chopped scallion, red onion, cilantro—whatever suits your taste or whatever you have around.

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 3 tablespoons cooking oil
    2. 1 onion, chopped
    3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
    4. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
    5. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    6. 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
    7. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
    8. 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
    9. 2 3/4 cups water
    10. 1 bay leaf
    11. 1 2/3 cups drained and rinsed canned black beans (from one 15-ounce can)
    12. 1 green bell pepper, chopped
    13. 2 tomatoes, diced
    14. 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
    15. 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
    16. 1 lime, quartered, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, turmeric, cumin, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the black pepper, and rice. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the water and bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook, covered, until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is done, about 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
  3. In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the rice, beans, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt, the vinegar, and parsley. Toss gently to combine. Serve with lime wedges, if using.

Notes

Green bell peppers that are allowed to ripen further become red bell peppers. This extra ripeness from additional time on the vine is why red peppers are sweeter than green ones, and also why they're more expensive.