Dinner 2 of 20
Black Beans + Rice + Avocado + Egg
A can of beans, upgraded until it doesn't taste like a can of beans. Rice underneath, a fried egg on top, avocado and lime because they make everything better. Total ingredient cost: not much. Total dinner: excellent.
28 minutes · Low cleanup · Uses rice cooker · serves 2 · ~25g protein per bowl (beans + egg do real work)
Ingredients
Equipment
rice cooker · skillet · chef's knife · cutting board · can opener · wooden spoon or spatula
The steps
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Cook Mode walks these one at a time, with timers and a way out when things go sideways.
The idea
Cheap ingredients still make an excellent dinner. Onion, garlic, and a spice in hot oil is the opening move of half the world's cooking.
New tonight
Sautéing · Aromatics · Beans and lentils · Eggs
Substitutions
- black beans → pinto beans, kidney beans, or white beans. Same method, same result.
- cumin → chili powder, smoked paprika, or a taco-seasoning pinch
- yellow onion → red onion, shallot, or half a bag of frozen diced onion
- lime → lemon, or a splash of the vinegar from a jar of pickled anything
- fried eggs → scrambled eggs, or crumbled feta if eggs feel like too much tonight
Tomorrow
- Bean burrito — beans and rice into a tortilla with cheese, folded, toasted in the skillet.
- Huevos-ish breakfast — reheat the beans, fry a fresh egg, eat it exactly like tonight but at 8am.
Freeze: The beans freeze well for a month. The rice does too. Future-you says thanks.
Beans and rice keep 4 days in the fridge, together or separately. Fry eggs fresh — they take three minutes. Reheat with a splash of water and a lid; starches want their water back.
Make ahead
The beans can be made a day ahead — they're arguably better on day two.
Keep it safe
- Runny yolks are fine for healthy adults. Cook them firm for anyone who'd rather not risk it.
- For set yolks, cook 1–2 minutes longer or flip them — no other changes needed.