Description
Spicy Mexican vegetarian rice medley elevates simple ingredients with robust southwestern flavors. Bold peppers, black beans, and cilantro-lime seasoning create a hearty plant-based dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables and Protein:
- 1 cup black beans, cooked and drained
- 1⅓ cups whole corn kernels, blanched
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped onion
Grains:
- 1⅓ cups uncooked white rice
- 2¾ cups water
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons annatto or achiote powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Warm a robust pan over medium flame, drizzling olive oil to create a fragrant base for the aromatic ingredients.
- Introduce minced garlic and finely diced onions, stirring continuously until they become translucent and release their delightful essence.
- Incorporate vibrant bell peppers and an enticing blend of spices including chili powder, annatto, crushed red pepper, cumin, and a whisper of cinnamon, allowing the ingredients to dance and meld together for a few moments.
- Gently fold uncooked white rice into the spice-laden mixture, ensuring each grain is thoroughly coated with the rich, complex flavors.
- Pour in water and sprinkle salt, elevating the heat to create a vigorous boil.
- Reduce flame to low, cover the pan, and let the rice simmer peacefully for approximately 25 minutes, allowing it to absorb the intricate spice profile.
- Once rice reaches perfect tenderness, softly integrate chopped tomatoes, sweet corn kernels, hearty black beans, and toasted pine nuts.
- Enhance the medley with a final seasoning of salt, cracked black pepper, and a zesty splash of fresh lime juice.
- Gently warm the mixture, ensuring all ingredients are harmoniously heated before presenting this vibrant vegetarian creation.
Notes
- Spice Infusion Matters: Layer flavors by sautéing aromatics and spices before adding rice, creating a deep, complex taste profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Liquid Ratio is Crucial: Use precise water measurements to ensure perfectly cooked, fluffy rice without becoming mushy or dry.
- Toasting Technique Boosts Flavor: Gently toast pine nuts beforehand to release their nutty essence and add delightful crunch to the rice medley.
- Flexible Ingredients Welcome: Swap out corn or beans based on seasonal availability or personal preference without compromising the recipe’s core character.
- Fresh Finish Transforms: A squeeze of lime juice at the end brightens all ingredients, adding a zesty, fresh dimension that cuts through the rich spices.
- One-Pot Wonder: This recipe minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals or casual entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg