Black beans and rice is a common staple among Hispanic culture because it is hearty, nutritious and easy on your budget. This recipe adds fresh peppers and scallions for an extra kick in every bite.
It makes the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for the weekend and the leftovers serve as a great light lunch during the week.The best part: You get the full-on flavor without the bloat-inducing sodium in traditional restaurant versions.
Ken Oringer believes chefs need to make a point of eating healthy dishes when they can, so he includes protein-rich quinoa in his diet at least three times a week. Here he mixes the grain with black beans, onions and peppers to make a hearty and very satisfying side dish that's a fun variation on prosaic five-bean salad.