Black Bean Rice Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 Cup instant brown rice - 1 (cup)
• 1 Cup water - 1 (cup)
• 1 Can canned black beans, rinsed and drained - 1 (15-ounce can), rinsed and drained
• 1 Cup frozen corn kernels - 1 (cup)
• 1 Count red bell pepper, diced - 1 (medium), diced
• 0.5 Cup mild salsa with no dairy and no honey - 1/2 (cup), Use a mild salsa with no dairy and no honey.
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil - 1 (tablespoon)
• 0.5 Teaspoon ground cumin - 1/2 (teaspoon)
• 0.25 Teaspoon salt - 1/4 (teaspoon)

Instructions

1. Prep the vegetables and beans

   1. *Dice the red bell pepper* into small pieces, then *rinse and drain the black beans* and measure the corn and salsa.

2. Combine the rice mixture

   2. In the microwave-safe bowl, *stir together the instant brown rice, water, olive oil, cumin, and salt*, then *cover with a vented lid*.

3. Microwave the rice

   3. *Microwave on high for 5 to 6 minutes*, then *let stand covered for 2 minutes* until the rice is tender and the water is mostly absorbed.

4. Heat the bowl ingredients

   4. *Stir in the black beans, frozen corn, red bell pepper, and mild salsa*, then *microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes* until hot throughout.

5. Portion and pack

   5. *Fluff the rice bowl mixture gently*, then *divide into 4 kid-friendly portions* for bowls, thermos containers, or lunch containers.