Southwestern Brown Rice Bowl

Southwestern Brown Rice Bowl

But it’s actually not ALL about the guacamole. The secret ingredient in this bowl is the most insanely delicious green rice you’ll ever make in your entire life. And I’m not lying. This green rice has been making quite a few appearances in our kitchen recently and my new rice cooker has been helping along the way! Once the rice is perfectly cooked, it gets tossed with my cilantro vinaigrette. The vinaigrette turns the mixture bright green and that alone is enough. But then you top it with everything your heart desires. For me that’s a combination of black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded romaine lettuce, chopped bell peppers and a sprinkling of cheese. (because have you met me? I live for cheese)

It’s one of those perfect meals that you can make and then take for lunches throughout the week or eat over and over and over again for dinner! I never tire of this one. As it stands it’s vegetarian, but you could easily add some cooked salmon or shredded rotisserie chicken if that’s more your speed.

Ingredients

For the Rice:
• 2 cups brown rice
• 1 shallot, roughly chopped
• 2 cups tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, tough stems removed
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
For the Toppings:
• Black Beans
• 1 recipe Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo (recipe below)
• Shredded Romaine Lettuce
• Chopped yellow or orange bell peppers
• Freshly Shredded Colby Jack Cheese
• Additional cilantro for garnish 

          For the Pico de Gallo

• 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch dice
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 large white onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 to 2 jalapeño chilies, finely diced (seeds and membranes removed for a milder salsa)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 lime

 

Instructions

1. Cook the brown rice in a rice cooker according to the package directions
2. Combine all the ingredients for the cilantro vinaigrette in a high powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until very smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Fold the vinaigrette into the cooked brown rice.
3. Divide the rice amongst 4 bowls and top with black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, bell peppers and cheese. Add extra cilantro to garnish if desired.