Mediterranean-Style "Golden" Rice-and-Beans
Okay, so first a couple things. The recipe for this exact dish pictured is at the bottom of this post, but what I really wanted to show here is the method in which to make this; the flavorings and seasonings are interchangeable. Rice-and-beans, of course, are a staple in many cultures around the world. What makes this version truly bursting with flavor is it's use of sofrito, a sort of seasoning blend made with caramelized onion, peppers, tomato, garlic, and spices. And versions of sofrito can be found in many areas of the world as well, but what makes this Mediterranean are the spices that I used...turmeric, Lebanese seven-spice mix (click here for the recipe), smoked paprika, and saffron. The combination of all of these things gives this dish not only an intoxicating aroma, but also it's beautiful golden hue. Rice-and-beans on their own are a complete protein, this is how so many people around the world survive of various combinations of this, and this is why this is also a valuable combination for vegans and vegetarians. While the recipe below is not vegetarian (I used chicken broth) it can be if you use vegetable broth. Inversely, one can easily add chicken, seafood, pork, or even lamb to this dish. I also used brown rice rather than white so it contains more vitamins, but this is also why the longer cooking time. Anyhow, here's how to make it...
Begin by making the sofrito, Heat olive oil in a pot and add diced onion and pepper. Cook them somewhat slowly until they are very cooked and begin to brown slightly. Then add minced garlic and cook that for a few minutes.
Then add whatever herbs or spices you may be using.
Then add tomato. This time of year I use tomato paste because it is already concentrated, but in the summer when my garden is full I often us fresh ripe tomato but have to cook it a bit longer to concentrate the flavors.
Continue to cook the vegetables and spices over moderately low heat until everything is soft and cooked and concentrated. Below is the complete sofrito.
Add the rice and stir it to coat it with the oil and sofrito.
Then add simmering broth. Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower it to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook the rice for 30-50 minutes (depending on the brand). Do not stir the rice. If using white rice, cook it for 18-20 minutes.
Check the rice, and about 5 or 10 minutes before it is finished add cooked beans or lentils without stirring. After the rice has cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest (without stirring) for about 5 minutes.
Just before serving, fluff the rice and gently fold in the beans.
Golden Brown Rice-and-Beans
Makes
4-6 portions
4
tablespoons olive oil
1
small onion, diced
1
red bell pepper
3
cloves garlic, minced
2
teaspoons Lebanese seven-spice mix
2
teaspoons turmeric
2
teaspoons smoked paprika
¼
teaspoon kosher salt
1
pinch saffron threads
2
tablespoons tomato paste
1
cup brown rice
2-3
cups chicken broth (hot)
1
(15 oz) can white beans, rinsed
Heat
the olive oil in a heat pot over medium heat. Add the onion and bell
pepper and cook slowly for about 10 minutes while stirring. When the
onion and pepper is very soft and just begins to brown, add the
garlic and cook another minute or two. Lower the heat, then stir in
the seven-spice mix, turmeric, paprika, salt, and saffron. Cook the
spices for just a few seconds then stir in the tomato paste. Cook the
vegetables, spices, and tomato paste over low heat for about 5
minutes while stirring. Then add the rice, stirring it into the
seasonings, then add 2 ½ cups broth, stirring it in as well. Raise
the heat until the liquid boils, then lower it again to a slow
simmer. Cover the pot and cook the rice for 30-50 minutes (depending
on the brand), or until it is almost done. If the rice needs more
liquid, add the remaining broth. Without stirring, add the beans on
top of the rice, re-cover the pot, remove it from the heat, and allow
it to rest for 5 or 10 minutes. Just before serving, fluff the rice
and gently fold in the beans.
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