Weeknight Pork and Beans Taco Bowls

I love a good taco bowl and the only thing that makes it better, is if I can have them more often or on a weeknight quickly after a long day of work and the gym.

Ingredients

• ½ Cup of Uncooked Rice (Short Grain Preferred)

• 8 oz Ground Pork

• 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning of choice.

• 1 Can Black Beans

• 1 Jalapeno

• 1 Lime

• 2 TBSP Sour Cream

• 2 Roma Tomatoes

• Optional:

  • 1/2 Avocado

  • Cilantro

  • Pickled Onion

  • Hot sauce

Preparation

1. Wash and Cook Rice: Wash rice under water until it runs clear. Cook rice according to the package using a stove or rice cooker. 

2. Prepare Ingredients: thinly slice green onion separating greens and whites; dice tomatoes; zest and juice the lime; mince jalapeño (deseed if you like milder spice).

3. Make Pico: In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, whites of the green onion, and as much minced jalapeño as you'd like. Add a pinch of lime zest and a squeeze of lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Make Lime Cream: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of lime zest. Mix well and add a small amount of water to thin out to a drizzle consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Cook Pork and Beans. In a large pan on medium heat, add a drizzle of oil and sear pork undisturbed on one side until it develops a golden color. Once golden on one side, break up the pork and brown the remaining. Add taco seasoning. Drain and rinse the black beans then add to the pan with the pork. Add a 1/2 cup of water to the mixture. Mix it all together and simmer until water is mostly dissolved. No need to salt and pepper since there will be plenty of seasoning from the packet.

6. Assemble: Add remaining lime juice and lime zest to the rice and mix. Add to a shallow bowl/plate and add the pork/bean mixture. Top with pico and lime cream. If you desire, add slices of avocado.

7. Garnish: Use the greens from the green onion and if you have it, cilantro. I also love throwing pickled onions on here if you have it. Of course, if desired add your favorite hot sauce. Right now I'm loving Melinda's Habanero garlic.

Tips and Best Practices

• Try your hand at making your own taco seasoning.

• Be creative with the toppings or ingredients. Some weeks, I crave beef or chicken over pork. I often come back to this recipe week over week but change up the sauce or toppings.