5:01 Dinner Club

This quick & easy side just screams Spring-time!

You could take this simple little side dish in so many directions-it’s not even funny.  Simple (and cheap!) instant rice becomes an elegant side dish in no time.  I see this preparation with seared seafood or grilled or roasted (store bought rotisserie chicken for a 15 minute dinner) chicken.  Add halved grape tomatoes and crumbled feta and you have got yourself a fabulous summer side dish that would probably even taste great as a cold summer side salad…

Serves 4 in about 15 minutes

• 2 C Instant rice prepared according to package directions
• Zest of 2 lemons
• ½ C Fresh, chopped herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme…)

 Mix hot rice with lemon zest and herbs and serve!

Make that quick, cheap & EASY!

Serves 4 in about 20 minutes

• 1 -10oz package yellow rice mix, cooked according to package directions
• 1 Rotisserie chicken, pulled & shredded
• 1 C BBQ Sauce
• 2 -16oz cans black beans, drained (or 4 C  cooked black beans )you can cook & freeze yourself if you want))
• For garnish:  Any or all of the following-2 Sliced jalapenos, ½ C cilantro, chopped, 3 green onions, chopped, sour cream, hot sauce, cheese

1.  In a medium saucepan, heat black beans
2. In another sauce pan mix the chicken and BBQ sauce and heat through
3. Arrange yellow rice on a serving dish
4. Top the rice with the black beans
5. Arrange chicken on top of the black beans & garnish as you wish!