Black Beans & Basil Rice

          Now that basil is available here in Chennai (at Nilgiris) I get some whenever I go there. The first time I used it in the tofu curry, the second time I got it, I used it to make this rice. Basil along with black beans makes an excellent combination, I added some beans and potatoes, making it one healthy one pot meal..

Need To Have

• Basmati Rice - 1 cup
• Black Beans - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 medium chopped
• Fresh Green Beans - 3/4 cup chopped
• Potato - 1 medium chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 chopped
• Dried Oregano - 1/2 teaspoon
• Red Chilly Powder - 3/4 teaspoon
• Fresh Basil - 1 handful chopped

Method
         Soak the basmati rice for half an hour, then cook it with a teaspoon of oil and a little salt. Soak the black beans overnight and pressure cook it till done.

          Heat some oil, add the chopped onion, saute it till it turns pink, then add the chopped potato, saute it till it turns golden. Then add the chopped beans, mix.

         Add the chilly powder, tomatoes, mix, cover and cook till the beans is cooked. Now, add the black beans, rice, oregano and the basil, mix well and serve it.

Note
The rice should be cooked al dente.
You can use canned black beans and leftover rice.
When you cover and cook, don't make the tomatoes mushy.