Gluten Free Beans and Rice

This is one of the first recipes that I made up when I started eating Gluten Free.  I needed something that I could take to a pot-luck lunch with friends and this turned out to be a yummy hit!

Gluten Free Beans and Rice

1 Can Black Beans (or any of your choice, rinsed)

2 1/2 Cups Cooked Brown Rice

5-6 Tablespoons 505 Southwestern All Natural Green Chile Sauce (I purchased it at Costco.)

1/2 can (small can) Olives

1/8 cup Coconut Milk (or Sour Cream) I used Coconut Milk from a leftover meal. I used it as a Creamer.

2 Cups of Shredded Cheese

Combined the first five ingredients in a small baking dish along with half of the cheese.  Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top of the bean mixture.  Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.  This recipe can be microwaved. 

Serve with Chips (I used Blue Corn. Everyone thought that was neat.)

Black Bean Salad

This is one of my favorite quick meal ideas! You can use this recipe as a salad or as a filling for pitas or tortillas. This is also a good base recipe that allows you to add or take away a lot of things. We felt like this salad was a light and tasty summer type recipe. We got this off of our Bush's BEST Black Beans can. There website is a great resource for some great recipes that include beans.

Black Bean Salad

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
8 green onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
-Optional Add Ins-
Raspberry vinaigrette instead of Italian
Kidney Beans
Colored Bell Peppers
Cherry Tomatoes, sliced

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, green onions, jalapeno peppers, bell pepper, avocado, pimentos, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and Italian dressing. Season with garlic salt. Toss, and chill until serving.

Southwestern Beans

This is a recipe that I created for the times that I make burritos and I want more then just the basics. I have used this recipe for simple bean burritos with or without meat, as well as breakfast burritos. It is VERY easy, tasty, and good for you!

Southwestern Beans

One Way:
1 can of beans (black, red kidney, etc.)
1/2 can of enchilada sauce
2 Tbls of sour cream OR cream cheese OR plain yogurt (optional)

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and serve in a tortilla.

Another Way:
1 can of beans (black, red kidney, etc.)
1 small can of spicy vegetable juice (V8)
2 tsp taco seasoning
2 tsp Grill Mates Chipotle Seasoning
2 Tbls of sour cream OR cream cheese OR plain yogurt (optional)
1 small can of sliced olives (optional)
1 small can of green chilies (optional)

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and serve in a tortilla.

Garden Style Southwestern Chili

Garden Style Southwestern Chili

I won't give exact measurements on every ingredient because of the varying sizes that this meal could be prepared in.

Stewed Tomatoes with their broth (you can use canned, bottled, or fresh tomatoes)
1 can tomato paste
Canned Green Chili Enchilada Sauce
Salsa (to taste)
Taco Seasoning (to taste)
Garlic Clove (pressed)
Onion (chopped)
Meat (I use Chicken or Beef)
Colored Peppers (green, red, yellow, orange, etc.)
Corn (canned or fresh off the cob)
Finely chopped crookneck and/or Zucchini Squash
Hand full of Spinach chopped
Black Beans (with juice, if canned)
Kidney Beans (drained)
Chili Beans
Brown Rice (cooked)

This recipe turns out so tasty! We love to make it into burritos or a chip dip. As the cold weather sets in it will be a nice warm treat in a bread bowl!

Why Beans?

According to The World's Healthiest Foods Website "Black beans are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other legumes. In addition to lowering cholesterol, black beans' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as brown rice, black beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. You may already be familiar with beans' fiber and protein, but this is far from all black beans have to offer.

When researchers analyzed different types of beans, they found that, the darker the bean's seed coat, the higher its level of antioxidant activity. Gram for gram, black beans were found to have the most antioxidant activity, followed in descending order by red, brown, yellow, and white beans."