Mardi Gras Veggie Bowl (Print Version)
A vibrant bowl loaded with colorful peppers, beans, and spicy Cajun seasonings for a hearty meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
02 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
→ Rice
09 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
10 - 2 cups vegetable broth
→ Beans
11 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Spices & Seasonings
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnishes
19 - 2 green onions, sliced
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
21 - Hot sauce, to taste
22 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Cook:
01 - Combine rice and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced celery, and all three colors of bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes until vegetables have softened and onions are translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant and garlic is golden, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add black beans, kidney beans, corn kernels, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Cook for 4–5 minutes until beans are heated through and tomatoes are slightly softened.
05 - Divide the cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a generous portion of the vegetable and bean mixture, creating a colorful presentation.
06 - Sprinkle sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley over each bowl. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side and offer hot sauce for those who prefer extra heat.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The colors alone make people excited before they even take a bite
- Its one of those rare meals that feels celebratory but comes together on a Tuesday
02 -
- Cajun seasoning blends vary wildly in salt content, so taste your vegetable mixture before adding more salt
- The rice keeps cooking slightly even after you take it off the heat, so remove it when it is slightly al dente
03 -
- Dice all your vegetables to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and look uniform
- If you want extra heat, add diced jalapeño with the bell peppers