I love carbs. I mean, who doesn’t? But when I eat egg-fried rice or any “fast-food” rice, my stomach goes absolutely haywire. I am bloated for days and sometimes, it’s actually borderline painful. I know it’s not the rice, because when I eat rice at home, I am fine! Therefore, it must be the oils that are used during the cooking process. Rapeseed oil? Vegetable oil? Sunflower oil? I have no idea what most fast-food restaurants use, but whatever it is, it really irritates my gut and I find it hard to digest.

This rice dish is a great alternative to those rapeseed-oil-filled Uncle Ben’s rice packets and it is super easy to make. I usually serve it with fajita chicken or jerk chicken, but it would work as a side dish with any meal.

There is a lot of discussion about beans containing phytonutrients, which inhibit the absorption of other vital nutrients such as iron, for example. However, other sources state that beans are a great source of fibre and protein, and fibre is super important for a healthy gut and healthy bowels. I haven’t quite made my mind up about beans yet, but when I do, I will let you know!

If you make it, let me know! If you come up with an even better version, let me know too. And enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 tin of Red Kidney Beans
• 1 cup of brown or white Basmati Rice
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 stock cube

Method:

1. Boil the rice with the stock cube for 10-12 minutes.
2. Drain the rice and rinse with cold water to get rid of excess starches.
3. Return the rice to the pan.
4. Drain the kidney beans and rinse well.
5. Add the kidney beans, spices, and coconut oil to the pan.
6. Stir well on a low heat for 2-3 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy!

Tip: Try adding fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to this dish if you are serving it with Mexican food!