Zesty cilantro lime rice & black beans

cilantro lime rice with black beans

I’m a cheap date.

That statement has nothing to do with drinking — it’s entirely about my boyfriend’s struggle to take me out to a nice restaurant when all my favorites feature supersized meals that cost about $7-$9 on average, and offer little in the way of romantic ambience.

Like Chipotle Mexican Grill.

I can’t get enough of their steak burrito bowls. I’m obsessed, and it’s due to this obsession that I decided to make my own cilantro lime rice. It’s tangy, it’s refreshing, it’s … completely worth testing.

 

Zesty Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans Recipe

Utensils required: stovetop/saucepan (or microwave and microwave-safe bowl), ladle, cutting board, knife

Ingredients (makes four servings):

  • 1 lime
  • 1 small bundle of cilantro (enough for 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup of Jasmine or Basmati rice
  • 1 can of black beans

Time commitment: 5 minutes to prepare, 15 minutes to cook if using oven/4-6 minutes using microwave

Steps:

1. Using a saucepan, bring water to a boil, and follow the package’s instructions for making rice. Similarly, if you’re using a microwave, check the rice package for heating instructions.

2. Finely chop three tablespoons’ worth of cilantro, and stir it into the cooked rice.

3. Slice a lime, squeezing out all of the juice over the rice.

4. Open the can of black beans and drain out the excess juice. Place the beans in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1 minute, stir, then heat for another minute and a half.

5. Finally, stir everything together, fluffing the rice and allowing the flavor to seep through thoroughly.

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