Rice, Beans, Avocado & Sauteed Rainbow Kale with Creamy Tahini Sauce {#vegan #recipe #dairyfree}

Disclaimer:  I have received free produce however no further compensation; all opinions are my own

Rice & Beans one of my all time favorites when I need to grab a quick lunch - it is so good.  The Whole Bowl here in Portland serves up the perfect bowl; brown rice, secret sauce, black rice topped with avocado, cilantro plus sour cream as well as cheese shreds for "standard" version. It is just so so good and I finally attempted my own version of it by adding sautéed Rainbow Kale.

The hardest part to come up with a sauce…I am happy to report that it worked out.  Tahini, lemon juice, olive oil,  siracha, some water placed in the blender - added more water until the perfect consistency and flavor was reached.  Tangy lemon, creamy and nutty deliciousness. 

The recipe for the entire bowl is really quite simple. A couple of notes before you dive into the recipe.  I like to use dried beans and used enough to make another meal {recipe coming soon}; use canned beans if that is what you prefer.  Black or Orca beans work best - season them however you like.    Be sure to use brown rice please do not substitute with white rice.  I admit {yes, it is true} that white rice is usually our choice but here you need brown rice for the texture and taste of nuts in the grain.  

Creamy Tahini Sauce

• 1/2 C Tahini
• 4 TB freshly squeezed lemon juice {about 1 large lemon}
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 - 1/2 C cold water {start with less and add more if needed}
• 1/2 tsp Siracha
• 2 TB Olive Oil

1. Combine all of the ingredients in your food processor and blend for about 2 minutes or until smooth.  Add more water if consistency is too thick

This sauce is also great as a dressing for any salad.

Rice, Beans, Avocado & Sauteed Rainbow Kale

• 2 C dried black or orca beans soaked over night {use less if you do not want leftover beans}
• 1 TB Olive Oil
• 2 C chopped onions
• 1 large garlic clove  minced
• 1 C diced celeriac
• 4 - 5 C of water
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1-1/2 C brown rice
• 1 avocado
• 2 TB Olive Oil
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 8 oz Organic Rainbow Kale 
• 1-2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 avocado sliced
• Creamy Tahini Sauce
• 2 scallion cut into rings

1. Saute chopped onions together with minced garlic and celeriac in the hot olive oil.  When fragrant
2. Add the drained beans mix them under the onion mixture and quickly add the water.  
3. Bring to a slow simmer and transfer everything to a slow cooker.  
4. Cook in your slow cooker on high for 4 hours
5. About an hour before serving prepare rice -> I use Alton Brown's method its perfect
6. Start heating the olive oil in a deep pan just about when the rice is ready
7. Add garlic to the oil sauté for a minute or so before adding the Rainbow Kale.  Mix it up with the oil and garlic; stir frequently until it turns bright green in color.  Add lemon juice to the kale as well as some salt
8. Assemble the bowls 
9. Add a scoop of rice, top the rice with generous amount of Tahini sauce, add a scoop of beans, place the sautéed rainbow kale around the beans, top with avocado and scallions.

Note:  I like to top mine with Siracha but since the other members of this family do not enjoy spice 

          as much as I do nobody else does.  Otherwise I would probably add more siracha to the tahini

          sauce…