Crockpot-Taco Lentils and Rice

This is a really easy, tasty and inexpensive recipe.  We usually eat this as a burrito filling but it would be good as a side dish as well. 

Crockpot-Taco Style Lentils and Rice
(From Hillbilly Housewife...I have changed the spices to suit our tastes better.  Adjust to your liking.)

3/4 cup dry lentils

3/4 cup brown rice
4 cups water
4 beef bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1  teaspoon cumin
1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Rinse the lentils and rice. Combine everything and cook in the crock pot on low for about 5-6 hours. Stir well. Use as a taco or burrito filling. YUM!

Cauliflower rice!

I can't believe I haven't tried this earlier...so good and healthy! Even my six year old liked it (and he was quite against "cauliflower rice" at first.) I have seen several recipes for this rice substitute around Pinterest.  Here is what I did:

Cauliflower "Rice"
Ingredients:
1/2- whole head of washed and dried cauliflower
A handful of diced onion
a clove of garlic (minced)
*(Next time, I think I might try just some garlic and onion powder to see if I like it without the chunks of onion.  But it was really good this way, too!)
Cooking spray

Directions:
~Pulse cauliflower in a food processor until about the consistency of rice (actually, it's more like couscous). Make sure your cauliflower is good and dry!  Do not add any water at any point.
~Put "rice" into a microsafe bowl and lightly cover (don't seal it tightly) with wax paper or lid. ~Microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring halfway. (Again, do not add water!)
~Saute your onions and garlic with a bit of cooking spray in a large non-stick skillet.  Add your rice and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently.
~Serve as you would rice and enjoy far less calories!!!
(We had this with Kielbasa and black beans...can't wait to try it with an Asian dish!)

Cuban black beans and rice - recipe

I have no idea if these are really "Cuban" black beans.  I don't think I have ever had real Cuban food.  But, it doesn't really matter all that much because we like them whether they are authentic or not. :) This is yummy and filling. 

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

WW-Beans = 5 points a cup
(Rice extra points

1 lb. (2 cups dry) Black Beans (or 2 cans drained and rinsed)
4 slices bacon (or turkey bacon), cooked & chopped
2-3 cups Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium Onion, peeled &chopped
2 cloves Garlic, peeled, mashed and minced
¼ Bell Pepper, chopped (or more)( any color…I like red)
1 cup Celery, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons distilled White Vinegar
1 Bay Leaf (or ½ of a leaf if yours is strong…or leave it out)
1 medium Tomato, cored, seeded and chopped
Salt and ground Black Pepper to taste

*Sort rinse and drain a 1 pound package of dry black beans (2 cups). Add the beans to a large pot and cover with 6 to 8 cups of cold water. Bring the pot of beans and water to a rolling boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1½-2 hours until the beans are very tender. Add more water as needed Drain the beans and set aside.

*In the pot that you used to cook the beans, heat the olive oil. Add the bacon, onion, celery and pepper into the hot oil. Cook, stirring constantly until onion is translucent.

*Add chicken stock or broth until these ingredients are covered. Add bay leaf, vinegar, and tomato. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

*Add in the drained beans. Add in more chicken stock or broth until bean and seasoning mixture is covered. Add some salt and pepper (or other spices) to taste. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep covered. Remove the bay leaf and discard it. Serve beans over rice. We like to add some chopped cilantro, green onions and lots of hot sauce (I like Frank's). Yum!

Happy eating!
Stacey

Kielbasa, beans and rice

This is super yummy! We like to use turkey kielbasa to make it a little healthier.

Kielbasa
1-2 cans black beans-drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes (not drained)
1 TBS olive oil
1 onion chopped (or less if you prefer)
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
cooked white rice
avocado-optional but really good with it
Directions:
Heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Cook the onions until soft and slightly brown.  Add the sliced sausage and garlic and cook another couple of minutes.  Add the beans and tomatoes and let it all simmer til you are ready to eat. Serve the bean mixture over rice and garnish with sliced avocado. (This picture actually has it over cauliflower "rice"...a low calorie and yummy alternative to rice!)