Laura’s Brazilian Salad

Rice

¾ cup Of onion (diced)

3-4       Cloves of fresh minced garlic (depending on size)

2 cups Of Black Rice

4 cups Of water

1 ½      Large pinches of dried Basil

1 ½      Large pinches of dried Oregano

½ tsp   Of salt

Avocado oil (or another mild oil)

Directions:

In a medium pot, saute onion and garlic with enough avocado oil to cover the bottom of the pan or as to prevent sticking and to coat the rice. Add Basil and Oregano. When garlic begins to brown (don’t burn the garlic) quickly add rice and roast for 30 seconds continuously stirring. Do not allow rice to burn. Then add water. Stir in then add salt and stir again. Cover and bring to a boil and then turn the heat to a low. approx 40 min. cooking time.

Hint: it is important to NOT continue to stir the rice after this point. Rice will cook and form air pockets which will allow the rice to cook evenly and thoroughly. You will begin to hear when the bubbles and water have evaporated. At this point it is safe to place a spatula inside the rice to the bottom to check to see if the water is gone. DON’T STIR. When the water is gone take the rice off the heat. Nothing is worse than burnt rice.

Beans

2          cans of black beans and their liquid (cheap kind aren’t the best)

½         cup  of onion (Diced)

2 ½      cloves of fresh minced garlic

1 ½      Large pinches of dried Basil

1 ½      Large pinches of dried Oregano

½ tsp.  Of salt

Directions:

In a medium pot, saute onion and garlic with enough avocado to cover the bottom of the pan or as to prevent sticking. Add Basil and Oregano. When garlic begins to brown (don’t burn the garlic) add the two cans of beans and the salt. Mix and then stir occasionally on a low heat for the amount of time the rice needs to cook.

Salad

1          Head of Romaine lettuce

3          Chopped tomatoes

1-2       Grated carrots

Cilantro (if desired)

Thinly sliced onion (amount to your liking)

                        - This is important for the dressing!

Portuguese Dressing

Olive oil

Lemon juice (preferably fresh squeezed)

Salt for taste

Directions:

Mix together Lettuce, tomato, carrots and cilantro in a big bowl. Thinly slice the onion and place it on top. Pour in an appropriate amount of Olive oil, and squeeze about a half of a fresh lemon or drizzle lemon juice. (Be careful with this one). Then add Salt to taste!

Assembling:

With desired portions your dish should be stacked. First rice, then the beans (liquid is considered the gravy), and add grated cheddar cheese on that. Then add your salad on top of that and eat with tortilla chips. :D