Red Beans and Rice with Salsa

1/2 c Dried red beans

1/2 c Dried kidney beans

3 c Water

1 1/2 c Chopped onion (1-2 onions)

3 Garlic cloves, peeled and

-halved lengthwise 1 ts Dried oregano

1 Bay leaf

2 tb Chili powder

1 ts Ground cumin

1 ts Dried coriander

1 ts Crushed red pepper flakes

1 c Tomato juice

1 c Brown rice

2 c Chicken stock, fat skimmed

-------------------------------FOR THE SALSA------------------------------- 1 1/2 c Cubed tomato (1 large)

2 tb Minced jalapeno pepper

-(1 large pepper) 1/4 c Sliced scallion, white part

-only (2 large scallions) 1/4 c Fresh squeezed lime juice

1/4 c Chopped fresh cilantro

Pick over and rinse the beans. Put them into a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. Let the beans soak overnight (or for at least 8 hours).

Drain the beans and transfer them to a large pot. Add the 3 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the onion, garlic, oregano, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, until the beans are tender. Add the chili powder, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, and tomato juice, stirring to mix. Continue to cook while preparing the rice. Put the rice and chicken stock in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until tender. In the meantime, combine all the salsa ingredients in a small serving bowl and set it aside for the flavors to meld. When the rice is done, stir it into the bean mixture. Ladle into bowls and serve with the salsa on the side.