Bean and Rice Bowls - Pot in Pot, Instant Pot style

If you don't have an instant pot, you could easily adapt this to make it on a normal stove top, especially if you just use canned beans. But it's a pretty fun way to use the instant pot. Before I came across this recipe, I didn't know what pot-in-pot cooking was, but this is a prime example!

Based on https://www.cookwithmanali.com/instant-pot-beans-brown-rice/#wprm-recipe-container-36574

Ingredients

Beans

• 1 cup dry beans - either soak them in warm water for a couple of hours (or cold water overnight), or if you're not so organized then you can do a quick soak in the instant pot (there are recipes for this online)
•  1 tbs olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 14.5oz can of tomatoes (or skip the tomatoes and just a little extra water instead - about 1/2 cup should do)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika (smoked if you have it)
• 1/2 tsp chipotle powder, divided (optional)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1-1.5 cups water, depending on how dry you like them
• 1 tsp salt
• 2-3 tbs chopped cilantro
• lime/lemon juice

Rice

• 2 c brown rice in a heat-proof container that fits inside your instant pot such as a medium-large bowl or a small lidded casserole dish - make sure the container is big enough to fit the rice and water comfortably
• 2.5 c water

Toppings 

• sliced avocado
• grated cheddar cheese
• diced tomatoes
• chopped cilantro
• whatever else you like: sauteed mushrooms, grilled chicken, steak strips....?

Method

1. Press Sauté button on instant pot. When it says "hot", add oil then onion and garlic.
2. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes - until onions are softened
3. Stir in the can of tomatoes (if using) and the spices (oregano, cumin, paprika, 1/4 tsp of the chipotle powder, cayenne)
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 
5. Add the soaked beans, water, and salt and mix well.
6. This is where the pot-in-pot comes in: Place a trivet inside the instant pot (yup, just smush it right into the beany mixture so it sticks out the top), then place the container of rice on top of the trivet
7. Add the water to the rice container. Cover this inner container with tinfoil or a lid.
8. Put the lid on the instant pot
9. Press manual or pressure cook button. Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
10. Open the pot carefully. Fluff the rice with a fork and carefully remove the rice container.
11. Remove the trivet then press the sauté button. Mash some of the beans (optional). Add cilantro and simmer 2-3 minutes. Add the remaining 1/4 tsp of chipotle powder (if using). 
12. Add a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice. Adjust seasonings to taste.
13. Serve bowls of rice and beans and let diners add toppings of their choice at the table.

This is the best way to cook rice because the clean up is so easy!