Lime-Cilantro Rice & Beans

This recipe is based on Archer Farms "Cilantro Lime Rice" from Target. If you are in a hurry, just follow the instructions adding one or two cans of drained and rinsed black beans. While it simmers 15 minutes, steam some broccoli or green beans, toss a salad, and you've got dinner. OR go for a tastier, veggie-filled version such as:

Chop one large onion and saute in very little olive oil (one tablespoon). When it is starting to be well cooked add two or three grated carrots, handful of chopped celery, chopped cabbage if you like, and cook down a few minutes.
Meanwhile rinse and drain two cans of black beans (or, being prudent, take the dried beans you've cooked in large batches ahead of time from the freezer and thaw quickly under running warm water)
Heat water as directed on the package of rice - (I use about 1/4 cup extra due to frying pan and extra ingredients), and add beans, rice, spice packet, and water to the pan, along with extra spices if you want - cumin, adobo seasoning, lime juice, more cilantro if you like). Put on lid, bring to boil then simmer 15 minutes.

If you need to "Dress it up" for the family, use a pizza cutter to make very thin strips from a whole-wheat tortilla, toast/broil till crispy, break up and put on top then sprinkle with Mexican cheese (watch for HyVee 99 cent sale) and put under broiler for just a minute. You can also add olives or sprinkle slices on top, can serve with salsa, sour cream, etc.

Depending on what veggies your kids like, this can be varied greatly -- I sometimes to skip the carrots and add small chunks of butternut squash along with the beans. If your kids like corn, add a can. If your kids don't like veggies, chop or grate them very fine and cook longer during the saute step so they disappear into the mix.

If your kids like wraps, skip the squash and stir in a cup of refried beans and use this as filling.

If you want to skip buying the prepared mix, it has about two cups of rice (with a little dried corn) and the following: sea salt, parmesan cheese, dried green onion, cumin, garlic, lime, cilantro, parsley, crushed red chili pepper flakes. I think you could take 4 cups cooked brown rice, add to sauteed veg along with beans and about a cup of favorite broth/boullion and lots of favorite Mexican spices and lime juice, simmer a while for flavors to get around.