Dinner Tonight - Rice and Garbanzo Beans, Fresh Fruit (30 min)

Tonight I served rice with garbanzo beans with green pepper, fresh fruit and crusty whole grain rolls. Husband said it was "awesome."

Shopping list for a family of four (possibly with leftovers for lunch):

• 1 can of organic garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas), drained and rinsed.
• 1 thick slice of organic onion, minced
• 1 large green bell pepper, cut into narrow strips and then chopped
• organic spices: ground cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder
• organic white rice (the 20-minute cook time variety)
  
• 1 small can organic tomato sauce
• 2 cups organic chicken stock
  
• 2 all natural mild Italian pork sausages, casings removed (or all natural chorizo, if your family likes a bit of spice)
  
• organic extra virgin olive oil
• 4 whole grain rolls
• fresh, in-season fruit
• organic butter

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cook the minced onion and chopped bell pepper in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil until soft.
3. Add the tomato sauce, rinsed garbanzo beans and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Season with salt, pepper, oregano and a sprinkle or two of ground cumin - to taste. Reduce to simmer.
4. Start the rice. I typically cook 1 1/2 cups of dry rice with 2 1/4 cups of water, olive oil, salt and some oregano.
5. Put the bread in a warm oven.
6. Cook the sausages in a separate pan with a touch of olive oil. Crumble them as you cook.
7. Add the cooked sausage to the garbanzos. Now you can add some leftovers, if you have any. Tonight I added a leftover pork chop, cut into small pieces. You could also add steak or baked chicken, cut into small pieces. (note the cast iron skillet)










8. Let the garbanzos simmer until the rice is done.
9. Prepare the fruit. Pour drinks. Serve.

Done!