Caribbean Rice

This recipe is similar to the one I already posted for black beans and rice; however the different spices, cilantro, and banana give this Caribbean rice a distinctive flavor. I have adapted this recipe from the recipe for Caribbean rice in the cookbook Help! My Apartment Has a Dining Room.

Caribbean Rice
serves 4 adults as a side dish

Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/3 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 15-ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed. Find a can that contains only black beans, salt, and water.
• 2 cups water
• 1 banana
• 3 or 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

Chop the onion, carrot, and celery. Heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a medium-size pot over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, carrot, and celery to pot. Saute the vegetables over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.

While the vegetables are sauteing, measure out the salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, and thyme into a small bowl. When the vegetables are soft, add the minced garlic and the bowl of herbs and spices to the pot and stir for 1 minute. Then add the rice to the pot and stir for 1 minute so that the rice is coated with the oil. Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot, along with 2 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then cover the pot and turn the heat down to low. Let the rice simmer for 15 minutes.

While the rice is simmering, peel the banana and cut into 1/2-inch wide slices. Heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Then add the banana and saute for 1 or 2 minutes on each side until the banana begins to brown and is softened. Then set the banana aside. Finely chop the green onions and chop the cilantro.

After the rice has cooked for 15 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. If there is still water at the bottom of the pot after those 5 minutes, return the pot to the stove and cook over medium heat for another 2 minutes. Then check again. When all of the water has been absorbed, add the banana, green onions, and cilantro to the pot and stir.