DIY 365: Copycat Smart Ones Santa Fe Beans & Rice

Apologies for missing a day. The project I was working on yesterday didn't quite come out, so you get a recipe instead. Oh, and another project coming later tonight.

My youngest son is allergic to wheat and eggs. This really limits the kinds of frozen dinners he can have. His favorite is Smart Ones Santa Fe Beans & Rice. I decided to re-create this. The result was pretty successful, not to mention dirt-cheap.

Like most beans and rice recipes, this one is a basic template. You can vary it according to your tastes and what you have on hand. I used white rice for cooking time, but you could use brown rice for increased nutrition. You could also substitute seasoned black beans for the chili beans. The original has green peppers, and sautéed peppers and onions would make a great addition, but my son doesn't like them.

Santa Fe Beans & Rice

Ingredients:
1/2 cup rice
1 (15-ounce) can chili beans
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, or more to taste

Cook rice according to package directions. When done add beans with liquid, sour cream and corn. Heat through. Top with cheese and serve. Makes 4 servings.