Sassy Black Beans & Rice

The list of ingredients for this sassy black beans and rice recipe sound like a very strange combination.  However, you will be pleasantly surprised by how the flavors combine.  This is a great quick throw together kind of meal.  Homey and satisfying.

1 15 oz can black beans
1 4 oz can diced green chilis
2 tsp onion powder
1 tbs tomato paste
2 tbs molasses
1/2 tbs chili powder
1/2 tbs cider vinegar
1 tbs soy sauce
1/2 tbs sugar
1 lb diced ham
4 cups cooked rice

Place everything except the cooked rice into a skillet and bring to a boil.
Cover and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
Serve over the hot cooked rice.

Black Bean Salsa

I call this a salsa but it is more like a salad crossed with a salsa and a relish. Really it should just be called black bean deliciousness!! Feel free to leave out some of the ingredients if you don't like them... It is great as is or with a few things left out or a few more things added in - A good starting place kind of recipe!

Ingredients:
2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 red onion, finely diced
3 roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
1 fresh red or orange bell pepper, finely diced
1 fresh mango, diced
2 fresh avocados, diced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp cumin
4 tbs lime juice
2 tbs olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Mix together everything in a bowl.
Serve chilled.
Delicious on grilled chicken or used as a dip or on grilled fish or on top of a bed of salad greens or just eaten alone!