Suzie’s the Foodie’s Beef, Black Beans & Rice

Get Recipe!

I have been making this dinner for well over 10 years. I figured it was time to share it on my blog. This was my first favourite dinner. After coming home from work, trying all sorts of recipes from cookbooks and the internet and being disappointed, this recipe kicked butt. It was easy, cheap and fast to make without sacrificing flavour.

The recipe is no longer online and I have switched it up a lot over the years so it is more important than ever to get it on my blog. I do not know what I would do if this recipe disappeared!

HOW TO MAKE STOVETOP RICE

Up until recently I was making rice in a rice cooker. It took me years to find a technique that I thought made it just as well.

For me and Reg I put one cup of scented rice in a medium sauce pan. Then I add two cups of water. Turn the heat to high until it starts to boil. Turn down the heat to medium low and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes.

Fluff with a fork. I like to get the rice going right away and then just let it sit covered until the sauce is done.

Brown half a pound of ground beef that you have seasoned with salt and pepper. I use extra lean ground beef so I do not have to remove the fat. If you use a higher fat content beef, make sure to remove the fat, it dilutes the sauce’s flavour. Then I add a couple of minced shallots and stir in for a minute or two.

If you prefer to use onion, go for it but add it before the beef is cooked through because it will take at least five minutes for the onions to cook.

I add in a couple of cloves of minced garlic and stir through for under one minute.

Then I add the sauce: 2 cups of your favourite spaghetti sauce or just tomato sauce (I use Prego), 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp of mustard, 2 tsp of chilli powder and 1/4 cup of soy sauce. For those who like extra heat, feel free to add a little cayenne.

Add 1 can of cooked and rinsed black beans. Stir everything together.

I like to cook everything together for at least 15 minutes and then serve over the rice. Do not cover the pan. I used to do this and for some reason it changes the flavour of the sauce. Let it breathe and thicken.

Get Recipe!

We never get tired of this dinner and it always tastes even better the next day. My sister Jamie and her husband love this dinner too and have also been making it for years. When I was a vegetarian I used to cook the beef separately for Reg and have it with just the black beans which worked out so well.

I finally did it! Now this recipe is safely online and other people can enjoy it too.