Name: Black Beans and Rice Your Way
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 1/4 cups water; 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 4 to 4 1/4 cups Kemp's black beans; 1 cup hulled (green) pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas; not toasted); 2 teaspoons olive oil; Accompaniments: cubes of avocado tossed with lime juice; tomatillo salsa; lime wedges; chopped white onion; fresh cilantro sprigs; 1 lime juice; 1 tomatillo salsa; 1 lime wedges; 1 white onion; 1 fresh cilantro sprigs

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Black Beans and Rice Your WayRomulo Yanes

Because it's one of the easiest vegetarian dishes, soulfully satisfying rice and beans can eventually become, well, tedious. Jazzing it up with colorful toppings transforms it into an exciting meal, chock-full of varying textures and flavors. Not only is this a staple for my family, it's become my default party dish for a crowd.

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