If you have time, make your brown rice from scratch. Use chicken broth instead of water to amp up the flavor. It will take about 45 minutes. In a pinch, instant brown rice is OK.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cups hot cooked brown rice
2 cups cooked red beans (kidney, pinto, or other beans of your choice)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper. Add hot brown rice and beans. Stir in cilantro. When everything is heated through, serve immediately.
Options: A splash of hot sauce or vinegar can increase the flavor in your dish without adding calories or fat.
Each serving contains about 274 calories, 11 g protein, 5 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 48 g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber, and 6 mg sodium.
CHOC Children's is affiliated with the UC Irvine School of Medicine