Smart Meals: Southwest Lentils & Rice

Common Ground has partnered with OSF Healthcare to offer their Smart Meals class series designed for those 55 or older! Each month, we host a free in-person class to demonstrate how to make a new Smart Meal recipe.

 

Smart Meals is a program designed to provide awareness and education on buying affordable, healthy foods that can be easily prepared at home. OSF dieticians have created Smart Meal Kits with shelf-stable ingredients that can be cooked into a full meal or supplemented with additional ingredients. Each recipe is uniquely created by a registered OSF dietitian and is high in fiber and low in fat and sodium.

 

This recipe for Southwest Lentils & Rice is made with brown rice, brown lentils, sweet corn, black beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Additional fresh options include cheddar cheese, green onion, red onion, and avocado. Also included is a recipe for chips & guacamole!

Ingredients
Southwest Lentils & Rice
Instant brown rice pouch
1 pouch (8.8 ounce)
Brown lentils
1 can (15 ounce)
Sweet corn
1 can (15 ounce)
Black beans
1 can (15 ounce)
Fire roasted tomatoes
2 cans (14.5 ounce)
Adobo seasoning
3/4 teaspoon
Fresh additions (optional)
Shredded cheddar cheese
Green onion, chopped
Red onion, diced
Avocado, diced

Southwest Lentils & Rice

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
4 servings
Calories 262
Fat 2 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 532 milligrams
Carbohydrates 145 grams
Fiber 11 grams
Protein 17 grams

 

  1. Drain and rinse: Drain and rinse brown lentils, sweet corn, and black beans under cold water.
  2. Heat: Combine black beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add starch: Once heated, add lentils and brown rice. Heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to reheat rice.
  4. Serve: Ladle rice into bowls, garnishing with optional toppings.

Fresh Guacamole

6 servings (nutritional information does not include chips)
  1.  Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Use a spoon to scoop out the insides and place in a bowl.
  2. Use a potato masher to a fork to mash the avocado until creamy.
  3. Add lime juice and mix.
  4. Add red onion, tomato, cilantro, jalapeno, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Mix until everything is just combined, and serve with chips!