This spin of rice and beans is packed with flavor. Budget friendly and done in half an hour – this Spanish Style Rice and Beans will have you going back for seconds!
For the first time in months, I actually have a backlog of recipes to share. I got into quite a cooking slump, and was pretty much blogging right after I cooked there for awhile. Which is fine, but I’m much more comfortable with a nice backlog – that way if I want to skip out on cooking one night, I don’t have to worry that I don’t have something to share with you all.
And an even bigger bonus is that I’m cooking a lot of those recipes that I’ve bookmarked. I’ve mentioned it before, but I set up a board on Pinterest where I am re-pinning things that I’ve pinned and then I made. This way, I can leave my thoughts on a recipe without feeling like I have to blog every single thing that I eat. It’s small right now, but I’m adding to it on a regular basis now – so if you are on Pinterest, my I Pinned It and Then I Made It board is one that you want to be following!! (And speaking of Pinterest, if you are following me but don’t follow all of my boards, I’m no longer pinning to my Fabulous Food board. I’ve decided to break everything out into individual boards to make finding recipes easier. So – if you don’t follow all of my boards, you won’t be getting my new pins – so make sure you head over and follow my new boards!)
I actually made this Rachael Ray recipe almost a month ago, and am just now getting to posting it. I have to say – this isn’t a recipe that I would normally be drawn to – especially if I just saw the recipe randomly. But when I saw her make this on 30 Minute Meals, I knew I wanted to try it. I’m not kidding you when I say that I have thought about this dinner – often – since I made it. Not many recipes make me dream about eating them again like this one did. I made some changes from the original recipe – using Mexican chorizo instead of Spanish since I have such a hard time finding Spanish – and adding more beans, and I think that this turned out absolutely perfect. It was too spicy for my husband, probably because of the chorizo, but I was secretly glad, because it just meant more for me. 🙂 It was perfect for dinner, and the leftovers were awesome as well. I can promise you that this will make an appearance in my house again – probably when the hubs won’t be around for dinner – but I’m hoping it will be on the table sooner than later!!
Spanish Style Rice and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- 10 ounces Mexican chorizo
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup broken spaghetti
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 pinch saffron
- 4 1/4 cups chicken stock divided
- kosher salt
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 large red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained
- 1 small bundle kale stripped and chopped or shredded
- freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Place the red pepper over a gas flame to char it, or blacken it under the broiler. Place into a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, peel it, then seed and chop it.
- Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven or in a deep skillet. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon.
- Meanwhile, heat the butter and a drizzle of olive oil in a saucepan. Add the pasta and cook until golden. Add the rice and the saffron and about 2 1/2 cups of the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, sprinkle it with salt, and cover the pot and cook until the rice is tender, about 17 to 18 minutes.
- In the pot with the chorizo, add the garlic and the onion. Cook until tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of the chicken stock. Add the beans, roasted pepper, kale, and 1 cup of the chicken stock. Grate a pinch of nutmeg over the top. Cover the pot and cook to wilt the kale.
- Serve the rice in shallow bowls, topped with the bean mixture.
- **If the rice cooks too quickly or if the beans get too dry, use the remaining 1/2 cup of chicken stock.**
Blondie says
You can buy mild Mexican chorizo. It doesn’t have to be spicy. I highly recommend the pork chorizo over the beef variety.
Chels R. says
I like this, looks so good. I’ve never had chorizo though because of the spice factor. I’m going to have to learn to ease my way into it 🙂
Anna @ hiddenponies says
Looks delicious! I am always torn between blogging the day after I eat something so I remember everything I want to say about it and the comfort zone of a backlog 🙂
Nell says
Now I know what I am going to do with those chickpeas in my pantry. Look yum!
Joanne says
I totally agree…I LOVE having a backlog of recipes! it’s so calming 😛
This meal sounds like it’s bursting with flavor. I’ll be using my favorite soy chorizo to make it for sure!
Kalyn says
Rice and Beans of any kind are always something I enjoy, but this does sound especially delish with the kale and all the other great flavors!
Asmita says
Looks amazing! This dish would be a hit at my place. Love the chorizo in it.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
With all the food you make, and that we see as bloggers, it’s impressive that a month later, you’re still thining about it. That says tons!
Katrina says
Rice and beans is a staple in my house, so I love adding new flavours to the mix! This sounds lovely.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Looks really flavourful!
Rosa says
A scrumptious dish! I love this combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
Becki's Whole Life says
Love this recipe with the spice and the greens – oh yum. Plus, I love eating things that have so much flavor over rice – makes for a great meal!