Herbed Black Beans and Rice

Ingredients:

1	cup	River® Whole Grain Brown Rice
4		bacon slices, finely diced*
3	cloves	garlic, finely minced
1		Spanish onion, finely chopped
1		green bell pepper, finely chopped
1	tsp	cumin
1	tsp	oregano
1		bay leaf
1	can	(15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed

Directions:

Prepare rice according to package directions.

While rice is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp.  Reserve bacon.  Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, cumin, oregano and bay leaf.  Sauté until vegetables are tender.  Add beans and cooked rice and heat through.  Serve topped with bacon, if desired.  Remove bay leaf before serving.   

*For vegetarian version omit bacon and sauté vegetables in 1 tablespoon olive oil.