Rice Cooker Beans & Rice! Cheap Beans & Rice Meals 3 Ways!

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup White Rice (plain cheapest bag from Aldi; use for each variation)
• 0.25 cup Water (for rice cooking; repeat for each variation)
• 0.5 cup Canned Chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 0.5 teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning (Aldi brand; salty, peppery, lemony)
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground Cumin (ground)
• 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (for flatbread dough)
• 0.5 teaspoon Baking Powder (for flatbread dough)
• 1 pinch Salt (for flatbread dough)
• 2 teaspoon Olive Oil (for flatbread dough; extra for drizzling)
• 2 stalks Green Onion (chopped; garnish for chickpea and lentil dishes)
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley (for garnish)
• 0.5 cup Canned Black Beans (drained; not rinsed in video (but recommended to rinse))
• 0.25 cup Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (Aldi brand; adds flavor and moisture)
• 1 teaspoon Taco Seasoning (store‑bought mix)
• 0.25 cup Shredded Lettuce (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon Cilantro Leaves (optional garnish)
• 0.25 cup Dry Lentils (soaked 2 hours for mushy texture; can use red lentils without soaking)
• 1 teaspoon Curry Powder (store‑bought)
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground Ginger (ground)
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder (ground)

Instructions

1. Measure Rice and Water for Chickpea Dish

   Place 1/4 cup white rice and 1/4 cup water into the rice cooker inner pot.

   Time: PT2M

2. Add Chickpeas and Seasonings

   Stir in 1/2 cup drained chickpeas, 1/2 tsp lemon‑pepper seasoning, and 1/4 tsp ground cumin.

   Time: PT1M

3. Start Rice Cooker for Chickpea Rice

   Close the lid and select the standard “Cook” setting. Let it run until the cooker switches to “Warm.”

   Time: PT20M

4. Prepare Flatbread Dough

   In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup flour, pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp olive oil, and gradually add about 1/4 cup water until a shaggy dough forms.

   Time: PT4M

5. Knead and Rest Dough

   Knead the dough for about 2 minutes, then let it rest on the board for 5 minutes.

   Time: PT7M

6. Cook Flatbread

   Roll the dough into a small disc and cook in a hot skillet for ~90 seconds each side until golden brown.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: medium heat

7. Garnish Chickpea Rice

   When the rice cooker switches to “Warm,” drizzle a little olive oil, sprinkle chopped green onion and dried parsley on top.

   Time: PT1M

8. Measure Rice and Water for Black Bean Dish

   Rinse 1/4 cup rice, add to a clean rice cooker pot with 1/4 cup water.

   Time: PT2M

9. Add Black Beans, Rotel, and Taco Seasoning

   Stir in about 1/2 cup canned black beans (drained), 1/4 cup Rotel, and 1 tsp taco seasoning.

   Time: PT1M

10. Start Rice Cooker for Black Bean Rice

    Close lid and start the standard cook cycle.

    Time: PT20M

11. Prepare Toppings

    While cooking, shred lettuce and roughly chop cilantro.

    Time: PT3M

12. Finish Black Bean Rice

    When the cooker switches to “Warm,” fluff the rice and top with lettuce and cilantro. Optional: add a dollop of sour cream if desired.

    Time: PT1M

13. Measure Rice and Water for Lentil Dish

    Rinse 1/4 cup rice, add to rice cooker with 1/4 cup water.

    Time: PT2M

14. Add Soaked Lentils and Extra Water

    Stir in 1/4 cup soaked lentils and an additional 1/4 cup water (use 1/2 cup water if lentils are not soaked).

    Time: PT1M

15. Add Curry Seasonings

    Mix in 1 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

    Time: PT1M

16. Start Rice Cooker for Lentil Rice

    Close lid and start the standard cook cycle.

    Time: PT20M

17. Garnish Lentil Rice

    When the cooker switches to “Warm,” sprinkle chopped green onion on top and serve.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

350

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

55 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

10 g