Recipe - Two Easy Lunches

I have been meaning to share these two recipes for awhile and I've never gotten around to it. They aren't really festive for this time of year, but you know what? In a time that is hectic and full of indulgences, this is something easy and fairly healthy you can prepare for your lunch or a quick dinner.  

These two meals were born out of necessity from living in the basement and not wanting to make anything complicated, while at the same time needing something decent to eat! 

I'll call this one Mexican bean salad

1 (540 ml) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (540 ml) can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1 (284 ml) can Rotel tomatoes (mild or spicy, whatever your preference)

1 (341 ml) can corn, drained

2 cups cooked rice (I use the microwave instant rice, specifically the lime and cilantro flavour)

salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.  To me the flavour comes from the rice and Rotel tomatoes, but if you wanted to add some chili powder or hot sauce, that would work too. You could also cut up a green pepper, but then we're making this too complicated ;)

For the second one, I don't have any fancy photos as I forgot to take them last time I made this recipe, but you'll get the idea.  

I'm going to call this Easy Mujadara, which is probably just an insult to the original dish, but it was the inspiration.  Mujadara is a Lebanese dish and I've had it on my Pinterest page for awhile but have never made the actual dish.  

1 (540 ml) can of cooked lentils, drained and rinsed

1 (540 ml) can of chick peas, drained and rinsed

2 cups of cooked rice (I use the same microwave rice as above, but the brown basmati)

1 cup fried onions (the ones you can add to salads)

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

salt, pepper, olive oil

Combine the ingredients, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.  The first serving with the fresh rice is slightly warm, and then when I eat the leftovers I like to warm it up a bit.