Vegetable and black-bean paella

7
Points®
Total Time
59 min
Prep
19 min
Cook
40 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
This insanely impressive-looking vegetarian paella features an ingredient medley of onions, green peppers, tomatoes, garlic, black beans, and rice, as well as saffron threads for a luxurious finishing touch. For extra texture, nutrients, and color, feel free to add 2 cups chopped fresh spinach when you add the peas. If you have any leftovers of this delicious paella, you can refrigerate them overnight (or for up to three nights), then shape into patties for a wonderful veggie burger. Simply brush the patties lightly with oil, top with a slice of reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and broil until heated through. Serve on a whole-wheat roll with lettuce and tomato, and you’ve got lunch.

Ingredients

Olive oil

2 tsp

Onion

1 medium, chopped

Green bell pepper

1 medium, seeded and chopped

Tomato

1 medium, chopped

Garlic

2 clove(s), finely chopped

Table salt

½ tsp

Black pepper

½ tsp, freshly ground

White wine

¼ cup(s), dry

Uncooked white rice

1 cup(s), short-grain

Vegetable broth

2 cup(s)

Canned black beans

19 oz, rinsed and drained

Saffron

tsp, threads, or to taste

Frozen green peas

1 cup(s)

Canned pimento

3 Tbsp, strips

Fresh parsley

2 Tbsp, fresh, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. If the mixture is too dry, add 1⁄4 cup water, stirring, until the water evaporates, about 2 minutes.
  2. Stir the tomato, garlic, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato is softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add the rice, stirring until well coated. Stir in the broth, beans, and saffron; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Stir in peas, pimiento, and parsley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve at once. Yields 1 1/4 cups per serving.