AMERICAN RECIPE; Black Beans and Rice

Ingredients:


* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 medium size yellow onion, chopped fine
* 1 small sweet red pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped fine
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 3/4 cups cooked and drained black beans
* 1/2 cup long grain rice
* 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
* 1 bay leaf
* 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

In a large heavy saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over moderate heat for 1 minute; add the
onion and red pepper and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.Add the garlic,
black beans, rice, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a boil.Adjust
the heat so that the mixture bubbles gently.Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
Remove the bay leaf, spoon the rice and beans onto 4 heated plates, and sorinkle each portion with the cheese.