Here’s the 2nd recipe from my mini batch-cook series: Smokey Butternut + Black Bean One Pot. Vegan, gluten free, delicious and rammed with goodness.
Black beans are one of my favourite legumes – they’re rich in protein and fibre, helping to feed your friendly gut bacteria and keep you well satiated. With the additional ingredients I’ve chosen to combine in this recipe, this is a real nutrient-dense power meal! Lots of colours and complementing spices for a flavour-packed Mexican vibe dish.
This recipe will make 2-3 meals if you wish to make it as part of your food prep. Add some salad/extra veggies + some whole-grains too, boosting the complex carbohydrate content further if likely to need extra fuel. Avocado is also delicious as a side to this dish but is best sliced fresh just before serving to prevent it from going brown!
Ingredients:
400g butternut squash cut into small cubes
1x 400g can of black beans, drained
1x 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
1 tsp ground cumin
1 heaped tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 – 1 tsp hot chilli flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large red onion diced (or 1 small + 2 eschalion shallots)
2 garlic cloves
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
sea salt + black pepper to season
Method:
Drizzle the olive oil into a deep sauté pan and gently heat through. Add the diced onion/shallots and garlic and let sweat for a few minutes.
Add in the butternut squash and spices and mix until very fragrant and the squash is well coated, a couple of minutes or so.
Empty the can of tomatoes into the pan and 2 tsp balsamic vinegar, turn the pan to a medium-low heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes.
Drain the black beans and rinse thoroughly, add these to the mixture, season with a little S+P, then continue to cook for another 10 minutes with the lid on (the butternut squash should be soft enough to cut through, but not mushy) *if the overall texture becomes a too thick, add 1-2 tbsp of water to loosen.
If you’re making this as part of your food prep, store in tight, tuppawear containers and it’ll last you through the week (pair with rice + salad if you wish).
I hope you enjoy this, remember to tag me in your photos if you make it, I love to see your creations!