Black Bean Mexican Rice

                        Black Bean Mexican Rice                                                                                      

This is a stepped- up version of Mexican Rice, its NOT what you will get at any Mexican restaurant around here. I made this recipe up for my family one day and it was requested for a Birthday Dinner, so I wanted to share, hope you enjoy.

My Grandparents traveled alot and I was given this set of pottery dishes my grandmother got in South America, I like to serve from them when I make spicy dishes and it reminds me of her.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. oil
1/2 to1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 fresh jalapeno chopped or about 7 slices, pickled jalapeno chopped
1 1/2 cup long grain rice
10 oz. Rotel tomatoes with juice
15-oz. black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn or 15 oz. can drained
3 chicken bullion or 1 Tbsp. Better than bullion diluted in
3 cups hot water
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. Taco Bell Taco Seasoning Mix
10 oz Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup Daisy Sour Cream
8 oz. Hell of Good Pepper Jack Cheese Grated (divided)

In a large pan, over medium heat, saute onions and jalapeno,let that cook while you gather other ingredients, about 5 minutes.

Add rice, stirring to coat all the grains of rice with small amount of oil in the pan.

Add, tomatoes, beans, corn, water with bullion, and seasonings, Stir well to incorporated all the seasonings. Turn on Medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Stir well scraping the bottom, making sure it hasn't stuck.
Turn to lower heat and simmer, 15 minutes. Do Not Stir.

The water should be absorbed and the rice should almost be completely cooked, it will cook longer when baked.

Mix the sour cream, soup and 1/2 of the cheese into the pot and stir until well combined.

Grease 10x13 inch baking dish and spread rice mixture evenly, sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
Bake 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. You want it bubbly around the edges.

I think I'm going to try this with a lb. of taco meat, or Chicken Breast cut into strips mixed in soon, it will be wonderful wrapped in a tortilla with the fixings.