Rice & Beans Are Elite, Especially in Times of Need (Simply Mamá Cooks)

About as cheap as dinner gets, taught properly. Simply Mamá Cooks starts from a pound of dried pinto beans with a quick pre-soak, simmers them with just garlic, onion and salt, then makes Mexican red rice and a blended salsa to go with them. The bean and rice ingredient lists are in the description, and the rice needs only cumin and garlic powder from the spice rack, so there is no spice-rack shock. It is a dish built to stretch to feed a crowd, and the vegan swap is spelled out: water or vegetable broth in the rice, and salt in place of the chicken bouillon. Learn this once and dried beans stop being intimidating.