Honey Cilantro Beans & Rice

This is a take on a Caribbean/Cuban favorite but shifted into a more French staple. I have split the all black bean into partial black bean and partial kidney bean. I have also substitute the lime normally found in the Caribbean variety with balsamic vinegar. You still have the bite that the lime would give you, but with more body and fullness. Full of protein, flavor, carbs ... you are certain to get filled up on this. But, above all that it is fast and easy to make. When cooking for your family after working all day, that is as important as the nutritional benefits. This could also be made vegetarian very easily, just remove the pork and substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock and you have a meal fit for any veg head. You will find this meal to be low in fat and high in fiber. Although Atkins people will probably run from it in fright.

For the ham, you can use just about any cut and is something great to do with leftover ham, as long as it is not heavily seasoned or sauced. You can also skip the soaking o the beans and feel free to use canned beans if you prefer. If you do, make sure you drain off the liquid in the can, but you shouldn't need to wash them.

Honey Cilantro Beans & Rice

• 1 Cup Ham, Diced
• Honey
• 20g Cilantro, Rough Chop
• 1/2 Onion, Diced
• 2 Cloves Garlic, Diced
• 1 Cup Rice (Short Grain)
• 2 Tomatoes, Diced
• 1 Cup Black Beans
• 1 Cup Kidney Beans
• Balsamic Vinegar

If dry beans, soak them until they start to turn tender and set aside. Season the Ham, and add a little ground thyme (if you have it) and honey to the Ham. When cooked about 75% of the way, add in the soaked beans, onions, garlic, and cilantro and cover with chicken stock. Cook on medium for about 20m or until the beans get to al dente.

Add the rice and more chicken stock, about a finger width above the level of the beans and rice. Also add tomatoes and a health dash of balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat to med. low and cook for another 10m or until rice is cooked all the way through. Season and taste, it is likely you may want to add a bit more honey if it is flat or to bitter.