Ingredients

(Preparation time about 30 minutes)

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup rice
14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
15-ounce can black beans, or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt, optional
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Saute onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, thyme, crushed red pepper and bay leaf in olive oil until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 main-dish servings (about 1 1/2 cups each) or 8 side-dish servings (about 3/4 cup each).

Nutrition information per 1 1/2-cup serving: 341 calories, 5 g fat, 65 g carbohydrate, 917 mg sodium, 10 g protein, 10 g dietary fiber, 0 mg cholesterol.