The perfect pair

Rice-and-bean dishes are classically accessible and nutritious. But just because these two ingredients are inexpensive, doesn’t mean the combo’s got to taste cheap. Get creative: Add different herbs or mix in sauces for delicious variance. And, of course, start with a solid foundation, such as Massa Organics whole-grain brown rice. It’s grown locally by the nearly century-old family-owned farm near Chico, and these grains are exceptionally wonderful. Maybe it has to do with the farm’s ethos and goal that “the water that leaves our land needs to be cleaner than when it arrived … and we must share our land and harvests with wildlife.” How perfect. Find the rice at the Central Farmers Market (Eighth and W streets) on Sundays.