Anyone who has lived in Hawaii, or even been there on a visit can tell you about Zippies Chili and Rice. It's legendary. Whenever we go back, the first place we stop, after the luggage carousel, is Zippies. And true to Hawaiian style, one serving usually satisfies both of us...depending on the in-flight meal. It's one of those things that if you're in Hawaii you've got to try - like surfing and Motsimotos (try the shaved ice with the beans....you won't regret it). But, If you're not planning a trip to the rainbow state any time soon, this recipe will satisfy for now. Or, if you've been there it might make you more anxious to go back.
Hawaiian Chili and Rice

Lentils
1 can refried beans or homemade
1 lb black beans
1 lb kidney beans
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 onion chopped
1 can corn
salt
garlic powder
brown sugar to taste
First, soak the black beans and the kidney beans over night. This will help cut down on the "end result" that beans can have. If that's not an option then just put them together in a pot with water and cook. Once the beans are cooked add the stewed tomatoes, chopped onion, refried beans, and lentils. (remember those left over beans and lentils from the bean burritos? throw em' in!) Now add the salt and brown sugar till it tastes slightly sweet. At the very last add the can of corn. This way the corn will stay crisp. Serve over rice. (this is a great way to use up the plain rice left over from the fried rice).
Now, grab a bowl, head out to the backyard with your slippas and some island music. You can thank me later for saving you on your grocery bill AND your travel expenses.
Ahhh....The bean burrito, savior of many a starving college student. Less than a buck, cooks in under a minute, AND you can eat it on the go. Where can you go wrong? Well, for starters, how about the calorie count? I'm very sorry to be Johnny rain cloud but truth cannot be silenced. I won't go into the details about the evil temptings of the burrito but, to be a ray of hope, I offer a healthier solution. By eliminating the oils and fat from the cheese, AND beans (pig lard) you can turn a vegans nightmare into a vegans dream, that, even carnivore's will love. Here's some proof. Even my Samoan friends came back for thirds!
Now, The Bean Burrito contains one very important ingredient....Beans. If, in your shopping, you grabbed the vegetarian can of refried beans then please read on. If you bought bulk pinto beans then click here for FRIJOLATION! (i.e. how to make homemade refried beans)
Bean Burritos
12 flour tortillas
1 lb brown lentils
refried beans
1 Taco seasoning packet
In a rice cooker cook the lentils with double the amount of water to lentils, then add the packet of taco seasoning. You may have to add more water as you go along and you may have to go for 2 cycles till they are soft. On each tortilla spread the refried beans then the cooked lentils. wrap up burrito style and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in the oven on 350 till heated through. You can also heat these up in a pan on the stove.
These are great served with chips and fresh salsa! Finger food works great with kids, no pesky forks to wrestle with, and they freeze exceptionally well. So you can pull them out, nook em (if your still into that - Matthew has even forbidden use of the toaster due to some sort of ionnisticatinng emitting waves) and go....so easy even a college student can do it!
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