Mexican Rice and Beans

I made this in a rice cooker.  All Asians own a rice cooker.

A rice cooker measuring "cup" (the ones that come included with the cooker) is actually 3/4 of a regular measuring cup.  So the 3 "cups" of dry rice below is equivalent to 2 1/4 regular cups.  Good to know in case you ever lose your rice cooker cups.

This is delicious served with pork carnitas when you don't have any whole wheat tortillas on hand.

Mexican Rice and Beans
Inspired by this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 rice-cooker-cups (2.25 regular cups) dry brown rice, rinsed and drained
• water
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-ish teaspoon salt
• 1-ish teaspoon cumin powder
• a few shakes of Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic (or garlic powder)
• a few shakes of Tastefully Simple Onion Onion (or onion powder)
• chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:

• Place brown rice in rice cooker.  Add enough water to reach the 3-cup mark on the side of the rice cooker bowl (use a little less water if you're making this with white rice.  The tomato paste and beans will add more moisture.).  Stir in the rest of the ingredients (except the cilantro), place the lid on the rice cooker and set it to cook.
• Once the rice is done cooking, stir it and serve garnished with chopped cilantro.

If you like it spicy, add some minced jalapeño before cooking.