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Vegan Beans and Rice Recipe

 



The basic bean recipe here produces a bean that is slightly sweet and slightly BBQ flavored. The good thing about these beans is that you can easily alter the flavors by adding simple spices (see below). Also, you can cook a large amount of beans at one time and freeze portions. Then a quick meal is only minutes away. Take a package of your frozen beans from the freezer and place in a bowl of room temperature water. Then start your rice cooking. Change the water in the beans bowl every few minutes while the rice is cooking. As soon as the rice is cooked reheat the beans, adding any spices you desire as follows:

For Mexican flavor add: 1/2 tsp cumin and 1 or 2 tbsp chili powder.
For Italian flavor: add 1 tsp oregano and 1 or 2 tsp Italian Seasoning.
For Chinese flavor: add 1/4 cup Tamari (soy sauce) and 2 teaspoons minced ginger

Here's the basic recipe:
Ingredients
* 2-4 cups Pinto, kidney or red beans (or more if freezing)
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup vegan brown sugar
* 1/2 cup vegan barbecue sauce
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* dash of liquid smoke
* 1/4 cup vegan Worcestershire sauce (if vegan unavailable use our home made steak sauce)
* 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/3 cup cider vinegar
* 1 tbsp hot sauce (Tabasco)
* 1 tbsp fine sea salt
* 1/2 tbsp black pepper
* water, as needed (see directions)
* rice, as needed, cooked according to package directions
The time required to cook will be reduced if the beans are soaked in plain water overnight. Be aware that when cooking, the beans must remain covered in liquid at all times. If allowed to dry out the beans will burn quickly and be uneatable. Use a large pot that will hold a lot of liquid and you will not have to add water as often.

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil over mediun high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until beans are tender (may take up to 4 hours depending on if the beans were presoaked or not).
3. VERY IMPORTANT!! When the beans are tender, taste and add any ingredients needed. Some people like more brown sugar and/or BBQ sauce. The liquid in the pot should be reduced to a fairly thick sauce. If still watery dissolve 1 tbsp cornstarch in 1/2 cup cold water and add to beans. Continue cooking until the liquid is a slightly thick sauce.

Serve over rice.