Brown Rice Salad with Chick Peas, Cumin and Vinaigrette

I started out making making lunch using  Ina’s brown rice salad with tomatoes and basil but while the rice was cooking and after the vinaigrette was made A Pinch of Salt email arrived with Brown rice, cumin and lime vinaigrette. The following is the end result which was very tasty. I was out of cilantro (tsk tsk) but will use it next time.

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    1 cup brown rice
    2 tsp kosher salt, divided
    1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
    2 teaspoons sugar
    2 tablespoon good olive oil
    1 tsp cumin< 1 garlic clove minced grated rind of 1 lime Freshly ground black pepper 2 c. diced tomates 1 can chick peas 1 jalapeno diced ¼ c. diced red onion 2-3 tbsp cilantro I substituted italian parsley juice of one lime Bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil and add the rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Return to a boil, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed. Transfer the rice to a bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, olive oil, lime rind, cumin, remaining teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of pepper. Pour over the rice. Stir gently. Add the tomatoes, chick peas, onion, jalapeno, lime juice and cilantro. Mix well and check the seasonings. Serve at room temperature.

Black Bean Soup – Chey

1 Tbsp. Olive oil
½ C. chopped onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 (15-oz) cans black beans, drained
1 (14 1/2-oz) can stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 (10 1/-oz) vegetable broth
½ C. picante sauce or salsa
1/4 C. water
1 tsp. Ground cumin
2 Tbsp. Fresh lime juice
Chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add onion and garlic; saute until tender. Add beans and next 5 ingredients; stir well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in lime juice. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Yield: 6 cups (about 129 calories per 1-cup serving).
Preparation time: 5 min
Cooking time: 25 min.