Vegan cooking isn't conventional cooking. It's sorta like gluten free, in a way. Gluten free foods aren't going to taste like "the real thing," but you eat GF long enough and you get used to it. Your palate changes. That's how it is when you're meat free. Eventually, your tastes shift, but it's never the same.
The skillet black beans and potatoes sound yum. I think we'll try that tomorrow. The rice? Eh. I'm not a fan of any savory dish that becomes sweet. To me, rice shouldn't be sweet. It's more an expectation thing.
I'm sorry your family didn't seem to enjoy the new foods.