I was searching for an idea for dinner and came across this in my Weight Watchers cookbook...
2 (15 1/2 oz) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped (or about 2 green onions)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup drained petite diced tomatoes (or freshly chopped cherry tomatoes)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
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- Cook the rice according to the package directions.
- With a fork, coarsely mash 1 cup of the beans, set aside
- Heat the oil in a large suacepan over medium high heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the whole and mashed beans, the tomatoes, cumin and oregano; cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens slightly and the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the lime juice and hot pepper sauce. Mix well. Serve over rice.
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Optional: I cooked a couple boneless chicken breasts and cut into strips to finish off the meal. I used Old Bay seasoning on the chicken - Jamaican Jerk or other Cajun type seasoning would be good, too. It was a delightful summer dinner...it made me think I was in the Caribbean.
Then as part of Heritage Days we rode on a school bus to visit the train (which the kids enjoyed since they had never been on one).
What a full day of fun activites (all for free)!
On Sunday afternoon, we had a picnic and the kids played in the sprinkler - of course, our family always dresses in red, white, blue attire which I think makes it more fun.
Later in the week, on the way home my sister and her family stopped at our house. We spent an afternoon at the beach, which at one point we had to ourselves because it had started to rain. We do enjoy having the beach walking distance from our house. It was a fun time...even playing in the rain!
