Texican Rice Salad

Texican Rice Salad Recipe: A Delicious Beef and Rice Salad with Garbanzo Beans and Green Chiles

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Texican Rice Salad is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine with a healthy twist. This salad is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or as a side dish for a summer barbecue.

History

Texican Rice Salad is a modern twist on traditional Tex-Mex cuisine. It combines the flavors of ground beef, rice, beans, and spices to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. This recipe is a popular choice for those looking for a healthy and delicious meal that is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
0.25 cup chopped onion
0.5 cup chili sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt, divided
1 tsp chili powder
3 cup cooked rice
1 15 oz (425 g) can garbanzo beans
1 x 4 oz (113 g) can diced green chiles
1 medium tomato, chopped
shredded lettuce
0.5 cup (2 oz (57 g)) shredded cheddar cheese

How to prepare

Cook the beef and onion in a large skillet until the meat loses its color, stirring to crumble it.
Combine the chili sauce, garlic, salt, and chili powder.
Stir the mixture into the meat.
Add the rice, beans, and chiles.
Cover and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
Add the tomato.
Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Spoon the meat mixture over the lettuce.
Top it with cheese.

Variations

For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with tofu or tempeh.
Add diced bell peppers, corn, or black beans for extra flavor and texture.
Top the salad with avocado slices or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the beef and onion until the meat loses its color to ensure that it is fully cooked.

- Adding the chili sauce, garlic, salt, and chili powder to the meat mixture will give it a bold and spicy flavor.

- Covering the skillet while cooking the rice, beans, and chiles will help to heat the ingredients through evenly.

- Adding the tomato at the end of cooking will help to retain its freshness and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Texican Rice Salad can be served as a main dish or as a side dish. It pairs well with a side of guacamole, salsa, or sour cream. Serve it with a side of tortilla chips or warm cornbread for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to cook the beef and onion until the meat loses its color to ensure that it is fully cooked.

- Covering the skillet while cooking the rice, beans, and chiles will help to heat the ingredients through evenly.

- Stirring the chili sauce, garlic, salt, and chili powder into the meat mixture will help to distribute the flavors evenly.

Ingredient Substitutions

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.

- Use quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a lower-carb option.

- Swap out the garbanzo beans for black beans or kidney beans.

Make Ahead Tips

Texican Rice Salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the salad in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Texican Rice Salad in a large bowl or on individual plates. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapenos, or a squeeze of lime juice for a pop of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Texican Rice Salad pairs well with a variety of dishes, including grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of Texican Rice Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the salad in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

350

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 35g

- Dietary Fiber: 6g

- Sugars: 3g

Fats

- Total Fat: 12g

- Saturated Fat: 5g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 22g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin A: 10%

- Vitamin C: 15%

- Calcium: 15%

- Iron: 20%

Alergens

Contains dairy (cheddar cheese)

Summary

Texican Rice Salad is a balanced meal that provides a good source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is a satisfying and nutritious dish that is perfect for a healthy lifestyle.

Summary

Texican Rice Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the bold flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine with healthy ingredients. This salad is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or as a side dish for a summer barbecue. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious dish with your family and friends!

How did I get this recipe?

I vividly recall the moment I first laid eyes on this recipe for Texican Rice Salad. It was a warm summer day, and my dear friend Maria had invited me over for a backyard barbecue. As I walked into her kitchen, the delicious aroma of spices and herbs filled the air. Maria was busy chopping vegetables and mixing ingredients in a large bowl, and I couldn't help but ask what she was making.

"Oh, this is a family recipe for Texican Rice Salad," Maria replied with a smile. "It's a delicious and refreshing side dish that goes perfectly with grilled meats."

Intrigued by her description, I asked Maria if she would be willing to share the recipe with me. She happily obliged, handing me a worn and stained index card with the ingredients and instructions neatly written in her elegant cursive handwriting.

As I read through the recipe, I couldn't help but marvel at the combination of flavors and textures - the earthy rice, the sweet corn, the tangy tomatoes, and the spicy jalapeños. It was a perfect harmony of ingredients that promised to delight the taste buds.

I thanked Maria profusely for sharing her family recipe with me and promised to make it for my own family soon. Little did I know that this simple act of generosity would set me on a culinary journey that would shape my cooking style for years to come.

That weekend, I gathered the ingredients for Texican Rice Salad and set to work in my own kitchen. As I chopped, stirred, and seasoned, memories of past gatherings and shared meals flooded my mind. I remembered my own grandmother teaching me how to make her famous meatballs, my mother showing me how to bake a perfect apple pie, and now Maria passing down her Texican Rice Salad recipe to me.

The salad turned out even better than I had imagined - each bite bursting with flavor and freshness. My family devoured it with gusto, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in our household.

Over the years, I continued to make Texican Rice Salad for family gatherings, potlucks, and picnics. Each time, I would receive compliments and requests for the recipe. I gladly shared it with anyone who asked, passing on the tradition of this delicious dish to friends and loved ones.

As I became more confident in my cooking skills, I started experimenting with the recipe, adding my own twist here and there. I would sometimes use black beans instead of kidney beans, or substitute quinoa for rice. I found that the beauty of this dish lay in its versatility - it could be customized to suit any taste or dietary preference.

One day, as I was preparing Texican Rice Salad for a neighborhood block party, a young woman approached me and asked for the recipe. I gladly shared it with her, just as Maria had done for me all those years ago.

As I watched the guests enjoy the salad, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. This recipe had brought me closer to my friends and family, creating lasting memories and connections that transcended the simple act of cooking.

And so, as I sit here reminiscing about the journey that led me to discover the recipe for Texican Rice Salad, I am filled with gratitude for all the people who have shared their knowledge and love of cooking with me. From my grandmother to Maria to that young woman at the block party, each one has played a part in shaping me into the cook I am today.

I am forever grateful for their generosity and wisdom, and I will continue to pass on the tradition of this beloved recipe for generations to come. Cooking, after all, is not just about nourishing the body - it is about nourishing the soul and creating bonds that endure beyond the kitchen table. And for that, I am truly blessed.