Arroz Com Feijao (Black Bean Rice)

(I learnt a few simple and delicious dishes in a cooking workshop in Delhi. This recipe, "Cart rider's rice" in English, is typical from the gauchos in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Traditional ingredients used here are the black beans and rice with parsley and bay leaf. However since black beans is hard to find everywhere rajma or dry meat can be used in its place)

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 250 gms of black beans (Rajma or dry minced meat can be used if black beans are not available)
• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups of water
• 1 tomato chopped
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2-3 bay leaves
• Chopped parsley
• Salt to taste

Method

• Soak the black bean overnight and then boil it to half done
• In a casserole, melt the butter and add bay leaves, garlic, onion and then saute the black beans
• Add the tomatoes and then saute for another two minutes
• Add the rice, mix, pour the water and salt and cook for 10-15 minutes
• Add little more water if the liquid evaporates and the rice is still hard
• Serve with freshly ground pepper and chopped parsley