Saffron rice, spicy black beans, chunky salsa

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02
  
       Title: SAFFRON RICE, SPICY BLACK BEANS, CHUNKY SALSA
  Categories: Vegetarian, Main dish
       Yield: 4 servings
  
 -----------------------------SPICY BLACK BEANS-----------------------------
       1 c  Dried black beans, soaked
            Overnight and drained
       4 c  Water
       1 sm Onion
       1 sm Carrot, chopped
     1/2 c  Green peppers, chopped
       1    Chili, jalapeno or serrano
            Seeded and coarsely chopped
       2    Garlic cloves, chopped
       1    Bay leaf
       1 ts Soy Sauce, low-sodium
     1/2 ts Cumin, ground
     1/4 ts Red pepper flakes, crushed
 
 --------------------------------SAFFRON RICE--------------------------------
   2 1/4 c  Vegetable stock
            Saffron threads, pinch
     1/3 c  Onions, chopped finely
       1 ts Olive oil
       1    Garlic clove, minced
     1/2 ts Turmeric
   1 1/2 c  Rice, long-grain, white
 
 ----------------------------CHUNKY TOMATO SALSA----------------------------
       2 c  Tomatoes, diced
     1/2    Avocado, large, diced
     1/2 c  Red onions
     1/2 c  Cucumbers, diced
       2 tb Coriander, fresh, minced
       1 tb Lime juice
       1 ts Olive oil
       1 ts Chili peppers, minced
 
 ---------------------------------GARNISHES---------------------------------
            Soy yogurt, optional
            Coriander leaves, garnish
  
   1. To make the beans: In a 3 quart saucepan, combine the beans, water,
   onion,
   carrot, green peppers, chili pepper, garlic, bay leaf, soy sauce, cumin and
   pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring
   occasionally.
   Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for about 2-1/2 hours, or
   until the beans are tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed.
   Discard the bay leaf and set aside the bean mixture. (May be made up to 2
   days ahead; reheat before serving).
   2. To make the rice:  In a 1 quart saucepan, bring 1/4 of the stock to a
   boil. Add the saffron. Cover, remove from the heat and let stand for 5 min.
   3. In a 2 quart saucepan over low heat, saute the onions in the oil until
   tender, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Stir in
   the
   turmeric, then the rice. Add the remaining 2 C stock and the saffron
   mixture.
   Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan
   and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid
   has
   been absorbed.
   4. Lightly coat 4 (8 ounce) custard cups with no-stick spray or olive oil.
   Spoon about 3/4 C of the warm rice into each cup, pressing it into the
   bottom
   and up the sides. Add about 1/2 C of the beans to each cup. Top with more
   rice to cover the beans; lightly pack it around the edges.
   5. If not serving the timbales immediately, cover each cup tightly with a
   piece of foil.  Set the cups on a baking sheet and keep warm at 300 degrees
   (for up to 30 minutes).
   6. To make the salsa:  In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, avocado,
   onions, cucumbers, coriander, lime juice, oil and peppers. If not serving
   immediately, cover and refrigerate.
   7. To serve:  Makes 4 servings. Remove the foil from the timbale. Invert
   each
   cup onto a dinner plate. Top with the salsa and soy yogurt. Garnish with
   the
   coriander. Serves 4.
  
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