But first the sauce – – –
Secret Sauce
- Sauté together
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2 chopped bell pepper
- 1 finely chopped jalapeno (add seeds for more heat)
- When the onions are clear add
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 t dried crushed red pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- Cook for 3 minutes and remove from heat
- When cooled blend in the food process until smooth
I usually double or triple the recipe and keep half of the he sauce in the fridge and freeze the other half.
Beans, Rice and Secret Sauce Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Sauté in olive oil basic veggies
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 small chopped carrot
- 2 stalks of celery
- Garlic to taste
- OPTIONAL: Add other veggies like spinach, kale, summer squash or asparagus
- When onions are clear add herbs and cook for about 1 minute add
- 2 Tablespoons of a combination of fresh herbs you like: basil thyme, oregano, marjoram
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Measure 2 cups of cooked beans, wash and set aside
- I have used red beans, white beans, pinto beans, black beans and black eyed peas
- Measure 1 cup cooked rice and set aside
- I have used brown rice, red rice and black rice or a mixture of all of them
- Assemble the Casserole in a well greased casserole dish
- Cover the bottom with Secret Sauce
- Cover with 1/2 the beans
- Cover with 1/2 the veggie mix
- Cover with 1/2 the rice
- Cover with sauce
- Repeat the sequence ending with sauce
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes
- Serve with Secret Sauce on the side
Easy to make and tasty. I usually serve with salad and a side vegetable. Especially nice on a cold day.