Slacker: Les Amis Cafe Black Beans & Brown Rice

adapted from a loosely written recipe found here

Serves 4

1 1/2 cups dry Black Turtle Beans OR 2 15-oz. cans Black Beans

2 teaspoons Olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons Garlic, minced

3 ounces Yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 cup Long grain brown rice

3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded

Condiments:

Sour cream (they recommend Daisy brand, if you can find it)

Sliced jalapenos

Chopped fresh tomatoes

Chopped red onions

Cholulu (or your favorite) brand hot pepper sauce

If using dry turtle beans: First pick through and remove debris & rocks. Wash, but do not soak. (MY NOTE: My understanding is that soaking is the best method to reduce flatulence from your post-bean eating experience, but I suppose it added to the, um, the flavor of Les Amis.) Put beans in pot and add cold water to a level of 2 inches over the beans and bring to a very slow boil. Do not cover. Continue adding water, little by little, to maintain liquid at 1-2 inches above beans. According to the original author of the recipe: "It may take hours."

If using canned beans, begin here: Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Then add both cans of beans and their liquid. Boil, then simmer until ready to serve.

(If using dry turtle beans: When beans are almost cooked, add sautéed garlic & onion to the pot and continue to simmer.)

For rice: Rinse rice in cold water, then add 1 1/2 cups cold water to rice. Cover tightly and cook 45 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove cover and fluff.

To serve: Put equal amounts of rice in a bowl, top with beans. Then add whichever condiments you want on it (except sour cream), then a generous handful of cheese, "which has been slightly compressed from squeezing." Stick in oven to melt cheese. Top with sour cream, if using, and enjoy.

Found at: http://chef-du-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/01/tv-bites-slacker.html

All original content © Copyright 2010-11 by Ron Deutsch. Permission required for any republishing.