Dining With De Lara

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Blackberry Steel Cut Oats

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For a couple months now I’ve been on a crazy oatmeal kick. Every  morning we wake up, put a pot of these steel cut oats on the stove, and top them with all the toppings! Because I’ve been enjoying them so much, I thought I would share them on Dining With De Lara. They take about 15 minutes make, are a hearty breakfast, store well if you make too much, and the possibilities of what to put on them are endless.

 Haven’t heard of steel cut oats before? No problem! They are essentially the same as rolled oats, simply less processed. Steel cut oats are oat groats that have been cut into two or three pieces and are so small, they resemble “pinheads”. Rolled oats are also oat groats, but they have been steamed and rolled out for a faster cooking time. I steel cut oats aren’t your thing, or you can’t find them, you can replace them with regular rolled oats. Just keep a close eye on them while they cook, as they will most likely need less time to cook.

 

I love to pair these steel cut oats with fresh fruit, but now that it is winter my go-to has been frozen berries. Especially frozen blackberries. I also like to top mine with chia seeds (hemp hearts and flax seeds are favorites too), a drizzle of honey, and some almond milk. Yum!

Other amazing things to top your oats with could be:

  • Your favorite milk (mine is almond milk)
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup
  • Chopped nuts
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg
  • Seasonal fruit like apples or pomegrantes
  • My Cinnamon and nutmeg baked apples

There is just something so comforting about curling up with a big pot of warm oatmeal and fruit in the morning, that really makes me happy. My toddler like to eat them with me and now that he can wield a spoon on his own, he has become quite the little expert at picking out all of the berries for himself. And I let him, because it’s the cutest.

 

Blackberry Steel Cut Oats
 
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Steel cut oats are a quick breakfast that is hearty and warming. Top them with your favorite fruit, nuts, or seeds- the possibilities are endless!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dry, steel cut oats
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 cups water
  • 1½ cup fresh or frozen blackberries
  • Optional Toppings:
  • chia seeds
  • coconut chips
  • fresh blackberries
  • honey
  • almond milk
Instructions
  1. In a small sauce pan on the stove, combine all of the ingredients.
  2. Heat the mixture over a medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to ensure the bottom of the oats don't burn. Simmer for about 20 - 25 minutes or until most of the water as been absorbed and the mixture has become quite thick. The oats should be soft, and have a bite and texture similar to rice.
  3. Divide the steel cut oats into two bowls and top with the chia seeds, coconut chips, and fresh berries, or your favorite toppings!

 

 

Fall Kale Salad With Dijon Vinaigrette

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Tis the season for this bright fall kale salad with dijon vinaigrette! It is the simplest thing to whip up, taking about 15 minutes and is full of so many wonderful flavors! Mild green kale, crisp apples, carrots, cranberries, and sunflowers seeds makes for a delicious salad that won’t let you down. Top it all off with homemade dijon vinaigrette and you are ready to go!

Any type of kale will work for this salad. I used green curly kale as its texture is more tender than others and its flavor is quite mild. If you pick a type of kale that feels really tough, you may want to massage it with your hands once it has been chopped to soften it up. Kale is a very stubborn, hearty green and can definitely hold its own in sautés, soup, and stews. However, when eating it raw, some types are best massaged so leaves become more tender and enjoyable.

I like to take the stems out of the leaves before chopping- it’s just a personal preference. You can leave them in and chop them up with the rest if you would like a bit more crunch in the salad.

One thing about me, I am very picky about salad dressings. One of the reasons I don’t often eat salads or post about them is because I have such a hard time finding dressings that I like. Store bought dressings are usually a disappointment, cheap or “natural”, expensive ones a-like. Maybe it’s just me?

I am much happier making them at home, exactly how I like them. I get to be creative and save a bit of money at the same time- not too shabby. So here is one of my favorite homemade dressings: dijon vinaigrette. Dijon mustard gives it its flavor, a dash of apple cider vinegar gives it some acid, and a touch of honey sweetens it. Perfection!

Looking For More Salads? Try These Ones:

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Fall Kale Salad
 
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Serves: About 8 cups
Ingredients
  • 2 bunches of lacinato kale
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 large gala apple
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
  • ½ lemon
Instructions
  1. Wash the kale, carrots, and apple.
  2. De-stem the kale and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Add it to a large salad bowl. Using a cheese grater, shred the carrots and add them to the kale. Next, Cut the apple in half and take out the core and seeds. Thinly slice each half into ¼ inch slices, then cut each slice into sticks. Toss the apple in the juice of the half lemon so the sticks don't turn color. Add the apple, cranberries, and sunflower seeds to the salad bowl and toss. Enjoy!

 

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Dijon Vinaigrette
 
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Serves: about ⅓ cup
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk for a minute or two until the ingredients are fully combined.

 

Cinnamon And Nutmeg Baked Apples

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Baked apples are a staple come Fall, so if you haven’t tried them yet, it’s time to get on board! And this recipe does not disappoint. Cinnamon and nutmeg baked apples are simple, yet extremely flavorful- just how I like it. They are the perfect pairing with oatmeal, ice cream, waffles, pancakes, or you can enjoy them on their own.

I love to use ingredients seasonally, something i’m sure i’ve mentioned before. With our modern grocery stores, ingredients from all over the world are available at anytime of the year. However, the best flavors and textures come from produce that is grown in its peak season. Even more so if it’s local. Apples are in their peak season now, so get ready for an abundance of apple recipes to come your way! I chose gala apples for this recipe, but any variety of apple will make for a delicious dish.

The first time I tested this recipe for the blog I used a knife to core and slice the apples. Prepping ten apples that way was a little tiring, so the second time around I purchased an apple slicer (looks like this) which made the work so much easier and faster.  I would definitely recommend getting one if you are needing to prep a bunch of apples, or if like me you are going to make a lot of recipes that use apples.

I typically bake them for about 45 minutes because I’ve found that they turn out to be soft, yet still have some structure to them. If you like softer apples then definitely let them bake the full hour.

I have tried this recipe using a small amount of natural sweetener like coconut sugar or maple syrup, as well as leaving it out. Both versions are wonderful, and the apples become quite sweet while they cook so leaving out the sweetener will still produce a nice sweet dish. The choice is yours!

 

This recipe would go great with these other recipes:

Cinnamon And Nutmeg Baked Apples
 
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comforting baked apples are perfect for cold weather, simple to make, and bring Fall right into your home!
Author:
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 10 Gala apples (or your favorite variety), washed
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2½ cups apple cider or apple juice
  • juice form 1 lemon
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Optional
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Core your apples and slice them into ¼ inch thick slices. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of water and stir until no clumps remain. Add the dissolved cornstarch and the rest of the ingredients to the apples and stir until the apples have been thoroughly coated in the other ingredients. Pour the apple mixture into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish and cover with tin foil.
  3. Bake the apples for 45 minutes to an hour or until the are soft and done to your liking. Stir them once or twice while they bake, so they cook evenly. Take them out of the oven when they are done and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Wild Rice Bowls With Smoky Red Pepper Sauce

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Wild rice bowls with smoky red pepper sauce are hearty and satisfying and just in time for fall! They are filled with seasonal roasted vegetables like broccoli and sweet potatoes that will help keep you full and energized.

These bowls (all bowls, really) are some of my favorite meals to make because you can:

  • Easily customize them a little differently each time so they never get old.
  • Prep the ingredients in large batches, saving a lot of time and work.
  • Use them for meals all week long because they reheat like a charm!

You can, of course, use whatever roasted vegetables you prefer. However, both broccoli and sweet potatoes are in their peak right now making them more affordable and fresher than at other times of the year.

Wild rice cooks much the same as normal rice, but pay attention to the cooking instructions on the package as the cooking times and water to rice ratios can vary slightly. The ratios for Jasmine and brown rice is 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. However, with this wild rice I only needed 1½ cups of water for every cup of rice.

The way I get perfect rice every time, no mater the variety, is to add a small amount of sea salt and olive oil while it cooks, and then let it steam, covered, for 5 -10 minutes at the end so that it fully softens and becomes fluffy. Give it a try!

 

If you haven’t guessed by now, my love for red bell peppers runs deep. There are so many creative ways to use them! The base of this sauce is red peppers that have been broiled to add more flavor, mixed with some of my favorite spices such as smoked paprika and garlic. The result is an extremely easy, yet flavorful sauce that you could use on just about anything. Try it on a toasty baguette, pasta, or other roasted vegetables like zucchini or cauliflower.

Interested In Other Recipes That Use Red Bell Pepper? Check These Out:

 

Wild Rice Bowls
 
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Wild rice and roasted veggies make for an easy and hearty meal full of amazing flavors!
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • For The Rice:
  • 2 cups uncooked wild rice
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or water
  • ½ teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • For The Roasted Vegetables:
  • 4 heads of broccoli, rinsed and trimmed
  • 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled
  • olive oil for drizzling
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Cut the broccoli into roughly 1-inch pieces and place on a baking tray. Cut the sweet potatoes into circles, then half circles and place on a separate baking tray. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle sea salt over the broccoli and sweet potatoe trays and toss both to coat the vegetables well. Place the trays in the oven. Roast the broccoli for 14 minutes. Leave the sweet potatoes in for longer, letting them roast for about 35 minutes total. Both the broccoli and the sweet potatoes will be done when they start to get brown spots on them and have become soft.
  3. While the vegetables roast, you can start the rice. Place the rice, vegetable broth, olive oil, and sea salt in a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. When the rice starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or as long as the packaging recommends. Once almost all of the liquid has evaporated, turn off the heat and let the rice steam for 5 - 10 minutes.
  4. When the vegetables and rice are done, you can assemble your bowls. Divide the rice between 4 bowls and add as many vegetables as you prefer. Top with smoky red pepper sauce (recipe below) and enjoy!

 
Smoky Red Pepper Sauce
 
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Broiled red peppers and smoky spices create a sauce that's deeply flavorful!
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Recipe type: Sauce
Serves: 1½ cups
Ingredients
  • 3 red bell peppers, trimmed and de-seeded
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
  1. Turn the broiler in your oven to high.
  2. Slice the peppers into quarters and lay skin-side up on a baking tray. Broil for ten minutes, or until large black spots appear on the surface of the peppers.
  3. Let the bell peppers cool for 5 minutes and then place them in a blender with the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and taste. Add more seasonings if you prefer. Enjoy!

 

Broiled Stone Fruit Toast

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Summer may be my favorite season, simply because of all of the amazing produce that is available. Specifically all of the stone fruit! I’m talking red plums, black plums, nectarines, peaches, apricots, cherries and more! So this broiled stone fruit toast is easily my favorite breakfast and is the perfect way to celebrate summer. Plus, it takes only 15 minutes to get a piece of one of these delicious toasts in yo belly!

 

 

I used a mixture of red plums, black plums, and nectarines for these pictures; however, you can use any stone fruit that you prefer. It works really well with peaches and cherries too!

Broiling is my favorite process to make really juicy, cooked fruit in a short amount of time. It softens the fruit, released sugars and juices, and even does a bit caramelizing too. I don’t add anything to the fruit because it doesn’t need anything- just broiling. It will create fruit that tastes almost like the filling of a cobbler, but without all of the work and waiting for over an hour.

This broiled stone fruit would also be AMAZING on pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, or a simple vanilla cake! Don’t wait to try this, because the season for peaches and plums always ends too soon. The fruit doesn’t need to be super ripe for you to make this. I’ve tried it with slightly underripe fruit too, and the broiling made it so juicy and sweet, I couldn’t tell the difference.

Looking for more toast toppings? Try my 15 minute strawberry jam! It is so delicious, you just might eat it out of the jar with a spoon!

Want to try broiling other things? If you haven’t tried the broil setting on your oven I highly suggest you do! However, because it is a high concentration of heat, don’t forget to keep an eye on what you are cooking. I love to broil red bell peppers too and I use them in my El Diablo Grilled Cheese, Toasted Bagel Veggie Sandwich, and Spicy Thai Salad. Give them a try!

Broiled Stone Fruit Toast
 
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This toast is like a breakfast version of cobbler that takes only 10 minutes!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: enough for 6 pieces of toast
Ingredients
  • 3 red plums
  • 2 black plums
  • 2 nectarines
  • *Or your favorite stone fruit*
  • 6 slices of you favorite bread, I like to use bread from a bakery-yum!
  • 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
  1. Turn your oven's broiler to high.
  2. Wash and slice all of the fruit, removing the pits. Place the sliced fruit in a baking pan and place under the broiler for about 10 minutes.
  3. While the fruit cooks, you can toast you bread in a toaster or a pan on the stove.
  4. Keep an eye on the fruit and take it out when the fruit begins to blacken, bubble, and has released some juices. To assemble the toast, top it with a couple spoonfuls of fruit and drizzle your desired amount of honey over the top. Enjoy!

 

Spicy Corn Salsa

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Summer will be over before we know it, so let’s take advantage of all of the delicious produce and make this spicy corn salsa! It uses simple ingredients like corn off the cob, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeño, red onion and lime juice. Plus, it takes only 15 minutes!

This salsa is made so flavorful, not only by using fresh produce, but also by using raw corn! You can definitely use canned or frozen corn, but I have found the best flavor comes from corn taken right off the cob. It does not require cooking, once you shuck the corn it is ready to eat. Letting the mixture rest for a few minutes will give the corn a chance to soak up some lime juice and all of the other flavors as well.

I use a whole jalapeño in this recipe, but if you would like it to be more spicy then add more, or add your favorite peppers. Habanero chilis or Serrano peppers would go well in this recipe-if you can handle a lot of heat!

My two favorite ways to enjoy this is with either grilled vegetables, or sprinkled over a big green salad with some avocado! Leave a comment and let me know how you enjoy it!

Want another salsa recipe? My roasted tomatillo and garlic salsa is another go-to salsa recipe and it is very easy to make!

Fresh Summer Corn Salsa
 
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Corn salsa goes great on burritos, quesadillas, eggs, toast, and enchiladas!
Author:
Recipe type: Salsa
Serves: roughly 5 cups of salsa
Ingredients
  • 4 large ears of fresh corn
  • ½ orange bell pepper
  • 1 jalapeño (or more if you like it really spicy)
  • ¼ red onion
  • ½ bunch of cilantro
  • juice from 2 limes
Instructions
  1. Wash the bell pepper and jalapeño and peel the red onion. Dice them along with the cilantro and put in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Shuck the ears of corn and wash the little strings off them under some cool water. Place the corn on a cutting board and cut a strip of corn off lengthwise. (see picture above) Rotate the cob so the flat side, where you cut off the strip, is face down. This will prevent the cob from rocking while you cut and keep the kernels from flying everywhere. Continue to cut and rotate until all of the corn has been cut off of the ears. Add the corn to the mixing bowl.
  3. Add the lime juice to the mixing bowl and mix all of the ingredients together. Let rest for 5 minutes before digging in to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy!

 

Herb and Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes

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These herb and balsamic marinated tomatoes take only 15 minutes! They are coated with fresh herbs like thyme, chives, and basil, and a medley of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic help bring all of the flavors together. What better way to take advantage of all of the amazing summer tomatoes than to serve it as this delicious side dish!

Growing up, tomatoes were a staple in our house. My dad would dress them with Italian dressing and make a delicious, fresh meal out of them. My mom usually had a garden, either in pots or in raised beds so fresh tomatoes were never very hard to get in the summer. If you have a chance to get home-grown tomatoes, or tomatoes from a farmers market, then go for it! They are amazingly juicy and flavorful and usually much better quality than the varieties you find in the store.

I used a mixture of rainbow cherry tomatoes and large vine-ripened tomatoes to give the mixture a little variety, and the different colors look so pretty! I love the flavors that the chives, basil, and thyme give, but i’ve found that thyme can be rather strong so I used only half the amount compared to the the other two herbs.

I would recommend not making the herb and balsamic marinated tomatoes ahead of time, because the herbs and tomatoes are delicate and break down easily once cut. Plus, the oil and and vinegar will accelerate that process. These tomatoes are best when prepared fresh!

*Notes*

  • I have found other recipes that use red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar to marinate the tomatoes. You can definitely try those if you would like; however, the flavor will change significantly as each vinegar has a distinct taste. Balsamic is my favorite!

Herb and Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes
 
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a quick blend of herbs, vinegar, and olive oil will make summer's best tomatoes the perfect side to any meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Side
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 large, vine-ripened tomatoes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons fresh basil, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
  1. Wash all of the tomatoes. Slice the large ones and halve the cherry tomatoes. Place the tomatoes, minced herbs, garlic, vinegar, oil, and salt in a large mixing bowl and turn the tomatoes to thoroughly coat them in the mixture. Let stand for 10 minutes so the flavors can meld together. Serve immediately!

 

Fluffy Homemade Tortillas

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Did you know how easy it is to make your own tortillas? Fluffy homemade tortillas are like a whole other creature compared to store bought ones. They are soft, tender, warm from the skillet, and taste like the best damn bread you’ve ever had! So let’s make some tortillas!

Granted, I don’t always make my own tortillas, but I do make them often because they are just so good! When i’m pressed for time I reach for the store bought ones, Tortilla Land makes amazing un-cooked flour tortillas, check them out! But when I have the time to make my own, then this is the recipe I make.

Lately, I have been making them weekly and using them for anything and everything! They are great as side to buddha or goddess bowls and can make them a little more heartier. And if you are craving a little sweetness in your life, a little honey spread on top of a warm tortilla is heaven!

 

These tortillas would go great with my other recipes:

Cilantro Lime Vegetable Soup

Restaurant- Style Mexican Rice

Black Bean and Corn Risotto

 

 

Fluffy Homemade Tortillas
 
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Homemade tortillas are out-of-this world and make an amazing accompaniment your favorite South American dishes, soups, stews, or wraps!
Author:
Recipe type: Bread
Serves: 16 small tortillas
Ingredients
  • 3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup warm water
Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Using a stand mixer or a large spoon, slowly add in the oil and then the water stirring continuously until a dough forms. Continue to mix for about 1 or two minutes until all of the flour has been absorbed and you have a smooth dough. If you are using a spoon to mix, you can switch to using your hands to bring the last of the flour into the dough. Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll into balls. Place them on a floured surface or a piece of wax or parchment paper and let them rest for 15 minutes.
  2. Once the dough is done resting, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Roll out the tortillas on a well floured, clean surface. The tortillas should be very, very thin and about 6-7 inches in diameter. They puff up quite a bit when they are cooking so don't be afraid to roll them out until they are really thin, about ⅛ of an inch thick.
  3. Put a tortilla on the hot skillet and cook for about 1 minute on each side. Once the skillet is really hot they cook very quickly, so keep an eye on them. The top side will start to bubble and the underside will have golden brown spots when it's time to flip the tortilla.
  4. When each tortilla is done cooking, set them in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and fresh. The towel works better than a plate because it will keep them warm, dry, and fresh tasting and will absorb any moisture that might form.
  5. Serve the tortillas immediately, or store in an air-tight container for up to three days.

 

Chocolate Almond Cake

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Get ready for this chocolate almond cake to blow you away! It is rich- but not too rich, fluffy, and subtly sweet. It uses almond flour, so it is natural gluten-free, and chocolate instead of cocoa powder so it deeply flavorful. Make it for your dinner parties, your get-togethers, or just to treat. yo. self!

I have made this recipe many, many times over the years and one thing I have learned is to use chocolate chips or a bar of baking chocolate instead of cocoa powder. It will take this cake from “pretty good” to “omg, I need another piece”. You can definitely use cocoa powder if that what you have on hand, I have found that 3/4 cup is a good amount to substitute. But just know that chocolate is really the way to go.

This recipe for chocolate almond cake calls for 6 eggs, which might seem like a lot. But TRUST, they bring all the fluffiness you could ever want to this cake. You actually separate the eggs and beat the yolks and whites separately. Then, as the last step, you fold in the whites, this will give it a very soft texture and it will melt in your mouth!

 

 

Love making cakes, or need some more ideas? I have an amazing Lemon and Rosemary Olive Oil Cake, and a 24K Carrot Cake , and an Orange and Spice Coffee Cake recipe that will not let you down!

*Notes*

  • You can substitute 1 cup of butter for the coconut oil if you need to. The flavor should turn out the same, it just won’t be dairy-free.

Chocolate Almond Cake
 
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A simple chocolate cake made with almond flour and almonds sprinkled on top. The perfect treat for after dinner or for afternoon tea!
Author:
Recipe type: Sweets
Serves: 1 9 inch cake
Ingredients
  • 1 cup coconut oil
  • 9 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • 6 eggs, separated
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • Optional:
  • powdered sugar
  • sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a small sauce pan or double boiler, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together. Heat just until melted and set aside to cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar for about 1 to 2 minutes until they become pale yellow. Pour the chocolate mixture a little at a time into the egg yolks, beating thoroughly after each addition to prevent the eggs from cooking. Once the chocolate has been added to the eggs, stir in the almond flour and mix until it is thoroughly incorporated. Set the batter aside.
  4. In another large bowl, beat the egg whites until they are fluffy and stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate batter until no streaks of egg whites remain. Transfer the batter into a 9 inch cake pan and top with a handful of sliced almonds. Bake for about 35 minutes. You will know it's done when the outer edges are firm and begin to pull away from the pan.
  5. Turn out onto a platter or a wire cooling rack and top with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

 

Black Bean and Corn Risotto

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Black bean and corn risotto is one of the best weeknight meals! It is deeply flavorful thanks to cumin, chili powder, oregano and garlic, and tomato sauce. Plus, it can be done in 30 minutes or less! Because some nights you need a filling dinner that doesn’t keep you in the kitchen for hours.

As with a lot of the food I make for my family, I can’t take the credit for inventing it. This meal is one from my childhood. My mother made this for us often- which is why I think I love it so much. There was one cold night in particular I remember her making it. I was curled up reading a book and enjoy a big bowl of this risotto with a warm tortilla on the side- so comforting. Good food and a good book are two of my favorite things!

Although this recipe is great during cold weather, I actually make it year round. I love to add fresh summer corn to it, or top it with fresh cilantro and radishes. Some guacamole on the side wouldn’t be a bad idea either! So don’t wait till it’s snowing to try it!

Black bean and corn risotto also makes amazing left-overs if you need some lunches for the week. It reheats really well, and as with a lot of dishes, the spices become more flavorful the next day. I will usually make a large batch and then eat it for a couple days afterwards. It makes a great no-fuss, quick lunch rolled up in a burrito!

 

*Notes*

  • Arborio rice is traditionally used in a risotto recipe, however regular rice works very well too! I have made it with jasmine rice more often than anything because I always have it stocked in my pantry. If you use arborio rice, it will turn out a little more creamy!
  • My roasted tomatillo and garlic salsa would be really good with this risotto!
  • This is a naturally plant-based recipe!

Black Bean and Corn Risotto
 
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A comforting and filling southwestern version of traditional risotto. Perfect for anytime of year!
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 3½ cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup jasmine or arborio rice
  • 1 1/12 cups fresh or frozen corn
  • 1 15 0z can black beans
  • Optional:
  • tortillas
  • chopped cilantro
  • sliced radishes
  • lime wedges
  • grated cheese
Instructions
  1. In a small sauce pan heat up the vegetable broth, ½ cup tomato sauce, and salt just until warm. It can be warming up with you toast the spices and rice. Keep warm while making the risotto.
  2. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, and minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir to coat it in the oil. Add in the rest of the can of tomato sauce, the corn, and ½ cup broth mixture and stir to combine.
  3. Add a ½ cup of the broth to the rice at a time waiting to add the next addition until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. While in the stage of adding the broth, be sure to stir the risotto very often so the rice absorbs the liquid evenly and the doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  4. When the last of the broth has been added, turn off the heat and drain and rinse the can of black beans and add them to the risotto. Stir to combine so the beans can warm up. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings!