Simple Black Beans and Rice

I was going to wait and make this after Valentine’s day, but when I made the mistake of verbalizing the week’s list of potential dinners to Aaron, he interrupted me at “black beans and ri–” with, “YES. YES. MAKE THAT TODAY. I DON’T CARE ABOUT THE REST OF THE LIST. JUST MAKE BLACK BEANS AND RICE.” Quiver-lipped, “IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR US.”

And then he fell into a coma and promised only to come out of it if I made the gall-darned black beans and rice.

And obviously I can’t have a husband in a coma! I have a sink knob thingy that needs fixing.

So, this version is actually really simple, but with a creole punch that will knock your soul into next week. Which is perfect because Mardi Gras is next week! I seriously didn’t even mean to do that, you guys.

Remembering what my Louisiana cousins survived on growing up, and would straight up tar and feather me if I left it out, I went straight to the source for the ultimate in flava flav: Tony Chachere’s famous creole seasoning. (It’s in that little stainless cup.)

OHHHHHHH. I don’t know what Tony was on when he came up with this spice mix, but I want to dip myself in a bowl of it, followed by an egg wash, and then bake myself until perfectly browned and crispy.

 

Whooooa wait. That’s crazy talk!

  

I’d rather become a black bean and spend my life inside my own belly after eating 37 bowls of this.

THAAAAT makes more sense.

Lick, lick, lick.

Hey, Tony. What are you doin’ later?

Simple Black Beans and Rice:

What it took for 4:

* 3 slices bacon, cut into small chunks
* 1/2 red onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 Tbs. smoked paprika
* 1 tsp cumin
* 1 – 2 Tbs. (or more!) Tony Chachere’s cajun seasoning, divided
* 1 red bell pepper, diced
* 2 roma tomatoes, diced
* 2 (14.5 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 Tbs. honey
* 1/4 cup favorite beer
* 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
* few glugs of Tabasco sauce
* 3 cups cooked jasmine rice

Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside to drain on paper towels. Discard all but 1 Tbs. of the bacon fat.

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until they start to soften and caramelize, 5 minutes. Add the garlic and bloom 30 seconds. Add the red bell pepper, the paprika, cumin and a good pinch of the Tony’s spice. Saute another minute.

Add in the diced tomatoes and saute until they start to break down a little, 3 minutes. Then pour in the beans. Toss to combine and cook 2 minutes. Taste. Add the honey, beer and another pinch of Tony’s. Cook another two minutes.

Toss in the cilantro to wilt, along with a few glugs of Tabasco. One final taste. More Tony’s? It acts as salt so don’t overuse.

Serve black bean mixture of a heaping mound of cooked rice and garnish with more cilantro leaves and the reserved bacon bits. Have more Tabasco on hand. It’s only right.

 

 

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31 Responses to Simple Black Beans and Rice

  1. Jen Erwin February 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm #
    Love the Chachere's. Mardi Gras is next week, silly! Don't miss it!!!
    • Bev Weidner February 13, 2012 at 2:32 pm #
      Is it!? I thought it was always March 6th! My whole life feels weird right now. I'll make the change. Thanks!
  2. Hilah February 13, 2012 at 2:33 pm #
    JEEZ LOUISE YOU'RE MAKING ME CRAZY! Just kidding. I'm perfectly sane when I say I love all the flavahs you got movin' and groovin' in there. Happy Valentine's Day, Bev!
  3. Jen Erwin February 13, 2012 at 2:43 pm #
    It's weird. It changes every year based on the date of Easter. This year is one of the earlier dates. We're deep in the parades already!
  4. Kristen February 13, 2012 at 2:47 pm #
    One of my all time favorite foods! Yum!
  5. Maria February 13, 2012 at 2:51 pm #
    Love this meal!
  6. Deborah February 13, 2012 at 2:54 pm #
    That's a big bowl of comfort for me!
  7. kayleigh February 13, 2012 at 2:56 pm #
    just read this and craving it for breakfast now!!! i know what's for dinner tonight! oh, and bev. tony is MINE. you're a bit late to the party. (:
  8. Meagan Wied (AZestyBite) February 13, 2012 at 3:32 pm #
    My husband Shaun wanted me to make red beans and rice this weekend and I said absolutely not. I apparently need to let him make it.
  9. Julie @ Table for Two February 13, 2012 at 3:45 pm #
    Love simple black beans & rice. It's so comforting :)
  10. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga February 13, 2012 at 4:06 pm #
    We've been on a massive red pepper kick over here the past few weeks...this fits right in. Love it!
  11. Heidi February 13, 2012 at 4:16 pm #
    Hellz yeah. Beans and rice with a Cajun kick, but where's your beads lady? Already gave them away I suppose ;) great looking recipe!
  12. Cassie February 13, 2012 at 4:17 pm #
    We love that creole dressing. Paul would love this too.
  13. Heather (Heather's Dish) February 13, 2012 at 6:08 pm #
    Love me some fancied-up beans and rice :) and good luck with the sink knob thingy!
  14. Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama February 13, 2012 at 6:28 pm #
    I love black beans and rice. And my hubby eats it but would never beg me to make it!
  15. Shaina February 13, 2012 at 9:30 pm #
    I love how simple beans and rice is, and yet it's a fantastic meal that I am always willing to sit down to.
  16. Katie @ Epicurean Mom February 13, 2012 at 9:34 pm #
    Lick lick lick, is right! This looks incredible!!! I love the spice in this dish! Mmmmm!
  17. Naomi February 13, 2012 at 9:51 pm #
    Mmm. I regularly make a Puerto Rican version of black beans and rice, but this looks way more colorful. Have to try soon.
  18. Kathryn February 13, 2012 at 9:59 pm #
    I think this would go down super well in my house. Love the simple combo of deliciousnes!
  19. Deanna B. February 13, 2012 at 10:15 pm #
    I have the same reaction to black beans that your husband does. I want them. Now.
  20. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar February 13, 2012 at 10:25 pm #
    Yummmm!! Love this simple dish!
  21. nicole {sweet peony} February 13, 2012 at 10:30 pm #
    yeahhh, tony knew what was up. this looks amazing!
  22. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids February 14, 2012 at 1:06 am #
    This will be a perfect taco night substitution coming soon. Makes perfect sense to me to replace tacos with black bean and rice. I cannot wait!
  23. Kelley February 14, 2012 at 1:18 am #
    Beans and rice. So humble but one of my favorite meals. Please tell me Tony is your husband and not the tennis pro.
  24. myfudo February 14, 2012 at 2:25 am #
    The flavors blend perfectly together...Can hardly wait to get to the kitchen to try this out!
  25. Krissy's Creations February 14, 2012 at 2:33 am #
    Beans and Rice is both my husbands & I's favorite dish! LOVE it! Great recipe!
  26. DessertForTwo February 14, 2012 at 6:06 am #
    Beer, check; Tony, check; cilantro, check, bacon, check. You're good, girl. Sooooo gall darned good.
  27. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com February 14, 2012 at 6:59 am #
    Love beans and rice -- perfect comfort food :)
  28. KCMN February 16, 2012 at 1:31 am #
    I found this on Pinterest and made this tonight. My husband and I loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
  29. Dr Squab May 30, 2013 at 4:22 pm #
    We've been making a similar dish for many years. Usually as a side dish (without the rice). The ingredients vary, but almost always include peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes (and black beans of course). Never used bacon for it before, we usually use a little chicken stock. We may have to try the bacon. That's kind of like a vegetable, or a seasoning, right?

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Best of the Web: Mardi Gras » Harvard Common Press - February 20, 2012 [...] Simple Black Beans and Rice Don’t have much time to whip up a fancy Mardi Gras meal this year?  Try this hassle-free recipe from Bev Cooks for an easy dinner that’s full of southern comfort. [...]

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