1st and Last Annual Tree Chopping Party!!

This has become one of my new favorites. We’ve been eating them as a side dish or cold on a salad. Either way they are delicious.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can Mexican Rotel
• 1/2 cup bottled salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Montery Jack cheese or Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

( 1 ) In a medium saucepan cook the onion and garlic in hot oil until tender, but not brown. Carefully stir in beans, undrained tomatoes, salsa, salt and cayenne pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

( 2 ) To serve, mound rice on serving plate. Spoon the black bean mixture onto rice. If desired, sprinkle with shredded cheese.