Black Beans & Rice

My hubby is not a rice lover, so I'm always trying to come up with different ways to dress the rice up. This one is quick and easy and goes down a treat.

You will need:-

1 cup uncooked white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (for added flavor you can substitute roasted red bell peppers or some chopped pimentos or jalapenos)
3 cloves minced garlic
2 16-ounce cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoon white vinegar
a few dashes of Tabasco or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 heaped tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp ground flax seed*

1 tsp wheatgerm*

Lime wedges and fresh parsley for garnish*

*Optional

Cook rice according to package instructions. White rice usually takes 15 minutes to cook once the water is simmering, and 10 minutes to sit.
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high. Sauté onions and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes, until just beginning to soften, then add garlic and sauté a minute more.

Add the black beans, vinegar, flax, wheatgerm and Tabasco or cayenne.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the cooked rice and oregano. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 6.