Avocado And Black Bean Heaven
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today is best celebrated with two of my favorite foods – avocados and black beans, and two of my favorite Mexican inspired side dishes – Guacamole Rice and The Best Ever Refried Black Beans. These simple recipes are the only thing standing between you and fiesta heaven. So get the cilantro ready (or if you think it tastes like soap, try them without it!).
Guacamole Rice
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado (pitted, peeled and diced)
Juice of 1 ½ limes
¼ tsp. salt
3 c. cooked brown rice*
1 clove garlic (crushed with press, or minced and ground into a paste)
1 Roma tomato, diced
½ jalapeño pepper (seeded and minced)
¼ c. fresh cilantro (chopped)
¼ c. red onion (diced)
¼ tsp. cayenne
¼ tsp. ground cumin
*I opt for brown rice, but feel free to swap with white rice, quinoa, or any grain of your choice.
Directions
In a medium bowl, mash together avocado, limejuice, and salt.
Add all remaining ingredients, and toss well to combine.
Serve warm or cold – after trying it both ways, cold gets my vote!
Original recipe on Foxes Love Lemons
The Best Ever Refried Black Beans
Ingredients
2 cans of black beans (15 oz. each)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
½ c. red onion (minced)*
2 Tbs. olive oil
⅔ c. vegetable broth
2 tsp. salt
½ tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. paprika
½ tsp. cayenne
2 oz. chèvre goat cheese
*The original recipe calls for white onion, but I prefer red.
Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil to medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes.
Add black beans and seasonings to skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
Using the back of a spoon, or potato masher, mash black beans to desired consistency. Stir and continue cooking.
Add vegetable broth. Stir to combine. If the beans are too dry, add more broth to reach desired consistency.
Add goat cheese. Stir to combine.
Serve hot, topped with fresh cilantro and extra goat cheese.
Original recipe on The Fitchen
Pair one of both of these delicious (and bonus – healthy!) side dish recipes with tacos, fajitas, or enchiladas, and I promise you will be going back for seconds. Oh, and do not forget a margarita…cheers!
