MEXICAN RICE

My husband enjoys rice and canned refried beans together. He usually eats plain white rice but I surprised him with a flavorful option which was so good he ate just a bowl of rice as his supper. I enjoyed my rice with homemade Mexican pinto beans.

You can find the recipe at “Brand New Vegan” recipe blog: Vegan Oil-Free Spanish Rice

I love my Dutch Oven (mine is enamel coated cast iron). Read this short blog article by “Eating Well”: What Is a Dutch Oven Anyway, and Do You Need One?

Why do I prefer to avoid fire-roasted tomatoes? Maybe I am being overly cautious. Here is an easy to understand article by “Eating Well” about chemicals present in charred food: Is It Safe to Eat Burnt Food?

What I did differently and clarifications:

-Used medium grain rice since what I had

-Used salt free crushed tomatoes, not fire roasted

-My onion was sweet

-Did not add salt, peas, or carrots

-Cooked in my Dutch Oven

-Be very careful adding the tomato puree to the hot pot...mine bubbled and splashed immediately

-I did not think it needed salt. My husband, who has a high salt tolerance, thought his dish could have used a bit of salt but he didn't actually add any which surprised me.