One Pot Rice Bowls EatCheapAndHealthy

One Pot Rice Bowls

Ingredients

• 4 oz ground beef (90/10 or lean)
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 can (15oz) black beans, drained
• 1 cup frozen vegetable medley
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (to taste)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• Salt and pepper
• spices to taste (I used paprika, chili powder, old bay, cayenne pepper)
• 1 tsp chicken "Better than Bouillon" or 1/2 cup chicken stock (optional)
• 2 oz shredded cheese (optional)

Recipe

1. In your pot on medium heat, brown ground beef with a pinch of salt and pepper. Before the beef is cooked through, add the diced onion and garlic.
2. Continue cooking until onions are soft and translucent. Drain the excess liquid.
3. Push beef and onions against the side of the pot, then add rice. Let rice toast for a minute, then add water (and chicken broth/substitute if desired, total 1 1/2 cups)
4. Bring to a boil then stir in beans, vegetable medley, and spices. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover.
5. Stir occasionally to avoid burning rice and to ensure even absorption. Remove from heat when rice is cooked to desired tenderness, usually about 15 minutes.
6. Serve immediately in bowls, topped with cheese if desired. Keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days (longer with no meat).

Other thoughts

This rings in around 1440 calories (at 4 servings, 360 calories each). Sodium is a bit high due to the canned black beans and Better than Bouillon, so substitute or exclude those if desired. The whole meal can be made for about $5 in under 30 minutes.

This can be used as a base and modified to incorporate almost anything. Double or triple for meal prep for the entire week. Some ideas:

• Substitute shredded chicken or tofu for beef, or exclude the meat altogether
• Add diced bell peppers in with the onion
• Use brown rice (or any other type) instead of jasmine, adjusting liquid and cooking time as necessary.
• Play with the spices and seasonings. Turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, onion powder, soy, cajun seasoning, and so many more.

Submitted February 03, 2016 at 07:49AM by Hyppy http://ift.tt/1KoXj5v EatCheapAndHealthy