Monday Meals: Super Simple Beans & Rice

The Test Kitchens have taken to something called batch cooking: spending the weekends cooking a large batch of something, and eating it throughout the week. The Wisconsin Test Kitchen does this with soups and stews, and the Arkansas Test Kitchen just did it with a rotisserie chicken. Side note: if you're looking for an easy way to cook a chicken, check out our What a Crock post, that details how to cook a whole chicken in the crock pot. Easy peasy.

But one of the problems with batch cooking is you get a little bored with your food by mid-week. The Arkansas Test Kitchen fought off food boredom by pairing beans and rice with their chicken; and turning it into tacos!

Super Simple Beans and Rice
Courtesy of Graceful Little Honey Bee

2 cups cooked rice (you can use either brown or white)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (we recommend using a good quality black bean)
1 can corn, drained
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
1 – 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (we used more than this, see the Test Kitchen notes below)
Salt and pepper to taste
Taco or fajita seasoning to taste
Flour tortillas
Salsa (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)
Other taco toppings you enjoy

1. Saute the onion and pepper (if using)

2. Add the black beans, corn, chicken and spices (salt, pepper and taco or fajita seasoning) and warm through 

3. Add the cooked rice to the mixture, and combine well.

4. Warm the tortillas in the microwave (read the directions on the back)

5. Place a few spoonfuls of the bean and rice mixture in the warmed tortilla

6. Top with shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream or any other toppings you would like.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

1. Use good quality black beans; otherwise you get hard, tasteless beans, and no one wants to eat that.
2. Use your imagination on toppings; the sky is the limit! Avocado, black olives, lettuce and fresh tomato are all delicious options.
3. You could even use the rice and beans with tortilla chips, and make nachos.  

Does your kitchen batch cook? What are some recipes you like to make in bulk? Leave your comments in the notes section below!

Stay Cool,
The Cool Dads Crew