Happy Sunday everyone! Here in the United States we set the clocks back an hour overnight, so many use the extra time to sleep in. My own internal clock did not change, however, so I'll budget my time well and get my latest entry post up for the @cookwithus latest challenge. This week was all about budget meals.
This was another great theme that I did not want to miss out on! Though a large portion of my personal budget is allotted to food, that does not mean that I spend a lot of money on my meals. I think it is more a reflection on the fact that we rarely eat out in my household, and I don't spend money on a lot of other things so it just looks like the food budget is out of proportion. 😜
I always keep a well-stocked pantry, so even at the end of the week we are able to throw together a healthy meal without having to spend extra money. One of the most cost-effective meals I know of to whip up is a tasty batch of rice and beans. Generally I keep enough dry beans and grains on hand to feed an army. Besides just liking to cook big batches at a time, there is something comforting about looking through my pantry and having such wholesome food at the ready. I think I am bending the rules of the contest just a bit this week as I have a hard time making anything in batches as small as 4 servings, so hopefully @chefsteve, @pandamama and @offoodandart will show a little lee-way since it is more time-effective to cook in bulk. Time is money, right?
I also purchased the veggies for this meal at the farmers market and do not have a receipt to show, but I purchase the items enough that I can tell you exactly what I paid for them. I'll share a few tips for how I save money on some of my pantry staples, as well, just to stick with our cost-saving theme. Let's take a look at what I used this time around:
Whole grains are always present in my pantry. I generally keep 3-4 varieties on hand as they do represent a staple in my weekly meal prep. Buying in bulk definitely saves some money, so often I will buy either larger bags at a discount or look for what may be on sale in the bulk bins. I actually don't use rice as much as some of the other options because I just love farro and some of the other chunkier grains, but it tends to be one of the most budget-friendly options so I thought it would be appropriate here. You can also find it all over the world!
Anyone who thinks eating a vegan diet means spending more money must not realize how inexpensive dried beans are pound for pound (and also by nutritional value) versus their counterparts in the animal protein spectrum. I think my organic black beans generally run somewhere around $2/pound, but when you cook them up that pound turns into multiple servings depending upon how you use them. I buy my beans and lentils in bulk, and often look out for sales since they last for a long time.
Many of you kitchen magicians also know you can buy spices in bulk at many places! I go through so much of certain spices that it really makes sense to save money (and all that packaging that goes into landfills) by purchasing in larger quantities. I generally keep old jars to store them in like the cumin in the picture above. This time of year chili powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and ginger dwindles down very quickly from all the warm foods I make to keep our bellies happy in the cooler weather.
Even the sauce was made from some things I always have on hand in the kitchen. We keep a few different types of mustard in the refrigerator at all times, and I pretty much am forever trying to use up a can of chipotle chilis in adobo sauce. Anywhere I can sneak the chilis in I will so that I don't waste them (even if a can is ridiculously cheap to start with). We don't use a ton of maple syrup, but that is always hanging out on the refrigerator, as well.
The only items I specifically bought for this meal were a few fresh veggies. The onions and peppers all run 1 US dollar a piece, which is roughly 1 SBD right now I believe. I also can't resist throwing in some greens with every meal, so the arugula that I included is the high ticket item at $4/bag. The greens at the hydroponic stand are so fresh and delicious that they are worth a little splurge in the budget, and I only used half a bag here. So I think my total comes out to $5 to make 7 solid portions.
Rice & Black Beans with Chipotle Mustard Sauce
Makes about 7 servings
- 1 1/2 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight, then rinsed & drained
- 1 cup long grain brown rice
- 1 medium sweet onion, peeled & chopped
- 2 green bell peppers, cored & chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 4 cups water or low-sodium veggie broth
- 3 cups roughly chopped leafy greens like arugula, spinach or kale
- 5 tablespoons yellow mustard (actual wet mustard, not the dried spice)
- 1-2 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (depends on how spicy you want it)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- water to thin the sauce
Place your onion and bell pepper in a large stockpot and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add a little water as necessary to prevent sticking and stir occasionally until the vegetables start softening up and the onions turn translucent. Mix in the spices (chili powder thru coriander) and cook for another minute.
The black beans take longer to cook than the rice, so at this point I poured in the water and soaked black beans. Bring just to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and stir in your rice. Cook for an additional 50-55 minutes. The liquid turned out perfectly for me, but you may need to add some more water if it looks like your rice and beans are too dry before they have finished cooking. A little leftover liquid is fine as it will continue to soak up more as it sits after cooking.
Once your rice and beans have cooked thru, remove from heat and stir in the leafy greens. Mix together the mustard, chipotles and maple syrup in a small blender or food processor. Add a few tablespoons of water as needed to thin out or tame down the level of heat in your sauce.
To serve scoop out a portion of the bean mixture into a bowl and drizzle on a little of the sauce. Enjoy!
Yum! I love rice and beans. It’s so basic yet so comforting and versatile. I think like the infamous sock monster who steals your right sock from your washing machine, we all are dealing with the “what the heck to do with all of these chipotle peppers” dilemma. Way to use those guys up :)
A plant-based classic! I'm actually starting to run low on some of my dried beans, so I better load back up so I can make 25 batches of rice and beans if the need ever arises. 🤣 The good thing is those peppers taste pretty darn good in most everything (as you can attest to in your yummy cooking). I still have some left so spicy hummus might be on the menu next...
Yum, I love hummus. Such a prep cooker you are :)
Oh my word @plantstoplanks, with food like this I could easily become vegan, looks delicious!
Haha, well there is definitely nothing I am lacking in my diet! Just about anything these days can be veganized and taste just as (or sometimes more) delicious. :)
Towards the end of the week I also use my pantry and rarely buy something. I tend to do grocery shopping on Monday and get some items if really needed during the week. Before I was purchasing products for each meal every day but I have realized just how expensive it is. If I have it in the fridge already, then I will cook something with it. If I do grocery shopping every day then I don't usually plan in advance and this is what makes it expensive.
Beans, lentils, rice and potatoes are a must in my kitchen together with garlic and onion. I can't even imagine a meal without garlic and onion :)
We should eat a little bit more greens to be honest but I find it difficult in the colder months. I tend to eat warm meals and the only greens that I can imagine in my meal would be spinach :)
Your meal looks very comforting Katie. Really like the idea! Thank you for sharing and YAY to the curie vote again! :)
I'm totally with you on shopping habits! I love food shopping, so if I did it every day I would definitely spend too much. I just try to enjoy my weekend trip to the market and then try to only hit the grocery store once on the weekend and maybe one other trip during the week if I really need something. Working a lot of evenings helped break that habit since I'm not home to cook every night anyway. :)
I sometimes have a little trouble with greens, too. Especially since I don't like smoothies as much in the winter time because I'm already cold enough. I try to always add some to my soups or like in this dish just wilt some in. I will try to get my potato soup that I made yesterday shared--I added chard to that and it turned out delicious!
I'm quite humbled with the curie love. It's a nice affirmation that I am sharing things of value to the community!
For some reason I thought that chard is cruciferous - no idea why. I love chard! It's very popular in Switzerland. They have so many colors of them :)
The last months I'm at home (quit my job and working on a project for next year), so it's difficult for me as I do cook everyday but I try to master my planning skills :)
It's always nice when curie stops by :)
Black beans and rice are a favorite at my house, and the funny thing is I almost always pair it with spinach. So I will have to try your recipe, It sounds great except I'm not a huge mustard fan...
Spinach is always a great add-in, too! I always switch around my leafy greens weekly, so one week it's arugula, the next my be spinach, then some kale. They each have a different flavor and texture to jazz up your dishes. The good thing about the sauce is you can either leave it off or switch it up if you don't enjoy mustard. You could probably sub tomatoes or tomato paste if that's more your speed perhaps?
lol, with my picky eaters, I'm doing good to get them to eat the spinach...
The tomato paste is a good idea...
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Ooo I love the look of the sauce @plantstoplanks! My mouth salivates just by looking at the bright, radiant, silky orange coloured Chipotle Mustard sauce. Thank you so much for the recipe! The ingredients look so good together. Even the soup in the stockpot looks yummy! And your photos are amazing.
Aww, thanks so much! It is long gone now because we gobbled it up so fast, but it is one I will be making again quite soon! Thanks for stopping by with such a lovely comment!
I can imagine what a hit it must have been!!! :) Thank you again for sharing!! Happy Sunday @plantstoplanks!!
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I loved your preparation @plantstoplanks , I must say that at first I thought it would be different preparation because in my country Venezuela our national food is rice with black caraotas (beans) with shredded meat rice and fried banana. So in my mind I expected something similar to the typical I'm used to, however I continued reading your preparation and have been fascinated by the way in which the ingenuity of other cultures with the same ingredients can do something completely different but with similar flavors.
Unfortunately in these times of crisis is a little expensive to prepare the dish of food, but even so the effort is made. removing the meat could make it more economical and for the next time I will make this recipe to see how I am left.
i like the texture of the moztaza sauce on top of the beans and brown rice. everything looks too tasty, i can almost feel the aromas.
I'll leave you a picture of our national dish <3
thank you for sharing this fascinating recipe.
greetings, peace and love
Thanks so much for sharing your version! I love seeing how other cultures interpret very similar ingredients. I think I would very much enjoy the banana component. Leaving off the meat definitely makes it a bit more affordable. I have a friend who is from Venezuela, so it is quite heartbreaking to hear of some of the things going on in your country. I hope you are safe and well!
That came together really nicely. You really do know your way around the kitchen, I can't remember the number of times I have had rice lying around in the pantry and was still thinking about what to cook. Lol! You never can go wrong with a few staples, on just needs to add a little bit of twist to it and it turns out looking yummy and delicious.
Oh, the sauce did help take everything to another level. I love the color!
Just like buying in bulk, I do think cooking in big batches can be budget friendly too (and saves time, of course)...
Such a nice and easy recipe!
Thanks so much @audreybits! I'm so glad you like my take on this easy classic. I think spices really make all the difference. I do spend a little more on them to get good quality, but it is definitely worth it to really make a dish pop. It has taken me years to get so comfortable in the kitchen, so there have been lots of learning experiences along the way. Now it is so much fun to see how many ways I can take on some of the same basic meals with a different twist each time!
Yeah, spices do make all the difference when eating on a budget, its great one invests in them, else the food might endup bland...
You sure have come a long way with your adventures in the kitchen, and I believe it will keep getting better!
Howdy there plantstoplanks! This is such a great post to demonstrate that you can make a nutritious and healthy meal for little cost and it's fairly fast and simple as well so great job!
With that mustard sauce on there it literally makes my mouth water! I wouldn't have thought of the sauce like that.
This is a well deserved curie post so well done!
Hey there @janton! A pleasure to have you pop in! I'm glad you like my simple dish this week. It is very fun to see how much everyone enjoyed the mustard sauce especially. I love when you can put things together from your refrigerator to make innovative and delicious meals!
Have a fantastic weekend!
"put things together from your refrigerator to make innovative and delicious meals" I wish I could do that! lol. first I'd have to get the good stuff in the first place to be able to do that.
That is definitely a good first step! I love having a well-stocked pantry and kitchen. Helps keep me on track and inspired. :)
thank you plantstoplanks, your inspiration helps to inspire the rest of us!
This looks wonderful Katie! I too had a difficult time making only 4 portions...lol. I buy in bulk too, with as much as we cook we have to! Love your logic, prepping ahead for the week is so smart, especially considering how busy you are. Love the savory fall dish, right up my alley! :)
Haha, glad I'm not the only one that had trouble with that! I think it is just not in my DNA to cook a small amount. I'm just glad @dksart has absolutely no problem eating leftovers. It really does save so much time in the long run, and still helps me stay on track to ensure I'm eating all the nutrients I need to keep up my healthy lifestyle! :)
The Chipotle Mustard Sauce looks to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So simple, but it totally makes this dish pop! I have been on a mustard kick lately. Dijon, grainy, regular yellow--I'll use it all in dressings and dishes like this. Such an easy way to add that bit of acidity and flavor. :)
Looks delicious! I love how you can take simple ingredients like beans and rice and turn them into a dynamic dish. Great work. Rice has become a staple in my diet because of how versatile it is.
Thanks! Rice really is so easy to work with. Since you find it in so many different cultures there is all kinds of inspiration on how to incorporate it into any number of dishes! :)
I have to admit that I used my fall back hour for catchup sleep! This is one of my favorite days of the year along with the super long summer solstice. The long days of summer sun make me want to go to South America during our winter!
Rice and beans is such a soul satisfying meal! The way that you layer flavors with the spices really works to make this dish have maximum taste. I like your tips too for buying bulk spices. That's a great idea. Along with buying bulk beans, rice and lentils. There is no cheaper way to eat!
Haha! I am also trying to find ways to use up a can of chipotles! A little goes a long way! Thanks for sharing your recipe and your tips for cost saving meals!
I don't begrudge anyone taking advantage of a little extra shut-eye. ;) I crashed early last night, so I got my extra hour on the other end, haha!
I do love hanging out in the bulk section of the store. Even better when I come upon some good sales! One of my local stores even has a member discount program where you only have to pay $5 for the year and then you get 5% off your whole purchase on Thursdays and Fridays. Totally pays for itself on one trip.
This was another fun theme to join in on!
Oh, you had me at mix together the mustard, chipotles and maple syrup in a small blender or food processor. The last time I mixed chipotles and maple syrup together was never! And now, you have totally got my curiosity dialed up and I am going to have to give this a run through.
You do cook for an army and I appreciate the fact that you do make-ahead-meals as you do. Not only saves time but, truly, money as well buying bulk.
I come from a family with nine children, so I am well versed on budget cooking and you take the prize in my book. You always have and I have learned a thing or three from you in this department. Dried beans were always bought because that just made sense, but, I was narrow minded on the grains until you and @Lenasvegancooking turned me on to hemp, flax seed. chia seed, farro, more lentils and bulgur and barley. You guys rock!
This dish looks absolutely fabulous and I can't even begin how nutritious it is, but, I now know that it is possible to do so much with so little, so I thank you for that. And might I say that arugula looks so fresh and yummy!
Keep these recipes coming! Sharing is caring!
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You'd think I have a whole brood of children, wouldn't you? Haha, just @dksart and I happily stuffing our faces every week. It's funny how you just get in certain habits and they stick. I don't think it's possible for me to cook a meal for just 2 now because I just automatically plan out leftovers. Luckily it works for us both!
It makes me happy to introduce all the wonderful bulk goodies out there to you. :) There are so many great options that I still haven't even explored yet! But you know I will surely share when I do. Thank you for popping in and letting me know what you think! Happy Monday!
You've taken a humble rice and bean dish and made it spectacular with some key ingredients. Love the fresh chopped greens at the end and that chipotle mustard sauce looks so full of flavour! Your recipes never disappoint @plantstoplanks!
Even on a budget menu, I had to toss in some greens. If only I had your green thumb then maybe we could finally get some growing in our garden for a really inexpensive addition. ;) With more practice we'll get there. At least I know we have our compost pile getting nice and happy this winter to hopefully be able to get some better yield next spring!
Composting is a good start! You'll be setting your future plants up for success ;) I expect to see some great gardening posts from you come spring!
Delicious! :)
Almost as good as your meals this weekend. ;)
I love a good rice and beans dish and yours is off the charts! I like all the different flavors you have in this dish. I can almost taste the smokiness of the chipotle peppers and pepperiness of the arugula. Outstanding @plantstoplanks.
Gotta love simple, tasty basics, right? Rice and beans really is so comforting and always fills me up in a good way. I can see why it is always recommended for vegetarians because it does hit all the good marks to fill out a meal. Especially with plenty of veggies thrown in for good measure! So glad you enjoyed this version!
You never disappoint us @plantstoplanks and once again a well deserved @curie reward - hope you have cross posted this to Whaleshares - I will be on the lookout for it
Aww, thanks so much for helping facilitate my creativity! I haven't posted over there yet, but I should get a chance later on to share there, as well!
I do not know much about cooking but I know that when something looks so good, I just need to eat it. "We all eat with our eyes" Or so it should be .. I love what I see, and I mean it :) I liked many of your photographs , this can not be a simple dish of beans with rice, you took this dish to another level, I am very delighted with what you did and with the way you explained it, a big hug @plantstoplanks
Our eyes are the first way we usually take in a meal (except for maybe by smell--but that's a little tougher online!), so I have learned that presentation does make a difference. I'm still not anywhere near as skilled as some of the cooks on here, but I'm happy I've gotten to the point where I can make my meals look at least as good as they really do taste!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! It truly means a lot to know what I am sharing has value and gives people some simple joy. Now if only I could share a bowl with everyone on here! :)
The versatility of grains is something that I discovered this year: the possibility of preparing them in so many ways makes them occupy more space in my meals. Now, I'm hooked with the grain croquettes (both fried and baked), they are so simple and delicious, they just need good condiments... Well, they don't work with black beans or (at least it didn't work for me), but with other types it works perfectly.
Beautiful photos for a delicious meal.
They really are so versatile! I love finding new ways to use some of my favorites. Incorporating good wholesome grains really does keep me feeling my best, as well, with all of the hearty fiber and plant-based protein. I think I would agree with you on the croquettes. I seem to have better luck with other beans and lentils, as well. I tend to use black beans like this or in soups. Good thing there are so many options to choose from for all different purposes!
That looks very delicious and comforting! Likewise here, lentils and beans are always a must at my pantry. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Take care. X
I am almost out of my lentils, so I definitely need to re-stock! It's so nice to have some on hand when you need them. :) So glad to be surrounded by so many people like you who enjoy good wholesome food!
Oh that looks GOOD. Recently I've been a fan for healthy eating especially the 'mix your own ingredient' concept. Not sure if you've heard of a poke bowl. It's like subway but instead of making ur own sandwiches, you make a health dish! It's very popular here in Malaysia
Thanks!! Yes, we've been getting more of those places here in my part of the US, as well! I think it's a great concept. Makes it really easy for everyone to find something they like and try things they maybe wouldn't otherwise try. There is a place close to my work that has the best veggie bowl--chickpeas, avocado, seaweed salad, among all kinds of other goodies. Now I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! :)
And you just made me hungry even after DINNER! HAHAH! I love a good vege meal.
I totally do the same - buying everything in big amounts, not just spicies. And I also save all the jars haha :D And then don't buy stuff in new ones.
That dish looks amazing..and it indeed is cheap hah :D I should have seen this several years ago when I was a poor student :D Now Im less poor haha :D Funny how you mentioned SBD when talking about price hahah :D
Btw for vegan stuff, you might want to check @evecab. She's a founder of Vegans on Steemit discord, check her posts to link to there. I've heard they are quite big community :)
Haha, well the mentioning the SBD was supposed to be part of the contest requirements this week. It is interesting to see how it compares in other currencies and what you can buy with it. Definitely a fun way to look at your food budget. ;)
@evecab is my girl! I am in the Vegans of Steemit discord group, I just haven't used the banner yet on any posts. It's not usually super lively in the chat, but there's always a few of us around. There are definitely tons of awesome vegan content creators on Steemit, though, so there is no lack of community posting daily. :)
Hahah hidden contest everywhere here on steemit :D Oh ok, that's exactly why I pointed it out :D cuz I haven't seen the banner :D
It's totally easy to miss people and even whole communities on here, so I am always happy for suggestions. I guess I need to finally add that banner, too, so that even more people join up with us. :)
As always very delicious, looking at your photographs I noticed they are better quality and you present more zoomed pictures too, of course that makes us readers hungry too. Beautiful served and great description. Like the spices you add in, that sometimes plays a great role and changes completely the taste of dish. Thank you for such comprehensive description of ingredients too :)
Thanks so much for noticing I am trying to improve my photo skills! I'm still nowhere near some of the other amazing folks on here, but I do my best to make my humble food look good. Nice to know it is working. ;)
Yes, you are definitely within budget considering how you have made 7 solid portions. And the tips you have shared are excellent so thank you. I'm sure I'm not the only one benefiting from them.
Oh my, what a delicious serving of rice and beans that is! It's totally enjoyable. Plus the sauce looks so tasty and appetizing. Thanks for another wonderful entry!
I'm always happy to join in! It's fun to be able to elaborate on some of the themes a bit. I know many people think preparing healthy food is expensive, so it's fun to dispel some of those myths. :)
Now I need to figure out what to do for this week!
It definitely is fun to dispel some of those myths. We just need to carve out time to prepare these healthy dishes.
Wow on your prices. Now I remember why I am so happy in SE Asia. I get purple onions these days in Kuala Lumpur and I think I pay about 20 cents for 10 small ones each time I get them. That is enough for 2-3 meals with leftovers, as I am cooking for one.
I miss farro, though. I have not seen that here, and if I did, it will be imported and expensive. I can get very good and cheap barley, but I'm mostly eating rice now until I am blue in the face. My other choice is noodles, and I am not a fan.
Is that all you do to your beans? I think mine would be hard if I cooked them that way. I usually soak for a day and then sprout them. I'm not too good with cooking beans, but that seems to work.
Good luck for the contest!
Wow, that is inexpensive! Though I guess wages differ, as well. It is very interesting to see how much difference there is in the cost of fruits and vegetables depending upon where you are in the world.
Sometimes I do sprout my beans, but this time I just soaked them overnight (about 12 hours) then cooked for the hour and 20-25 minutes in the pot with everything else. They seemed to come out fine, but sometimes if the beans that I have are older they may take longer. In certain recipes I like them softer, but this one the texture was good. :)
Oh I see. I did not catch that you soak in advance - reading too fast lol. Maybe I will try again but beans and lentils are very prevalent in the street food and much better than I could do :)
A good wage for locals is about 1000 a month here in a big city. A lot of people live communally or with family and rent is very cheap anyway.
This looks very good .... I must try this food :)
When I go and buy some new food I try make it :)
It's not too challenging of a recipe, so I hope you give it a try! The great thing about cooking is you can adjust the veggies or spices to your liking to make the perfect dish for you. :)
Thank you!! And yes you are right :))
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