Skillet Spanish Rice Dinner 

(with Ground Beef)

www.AtHomeMyWay.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef  (totally optional) (can sub w/ drained/rinsed beans like pinto, kidney, black beans)

• 1/2 - 1 chopped onion (could be replaced with 1 teaspoon onion powder)

• 1/2 - 1 chopped bell pepper (any color is fine - or leave it out if you don't like fresh pepper)

• 1 cup uncooked (long grain) white rice 

• 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes (undrained) (salsa or rotel would be good substitutes)

• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce

• 1 1/2 cups water + 1 beef bullion cube (or replace with 1 1/2 cups beef or chicken broth) (I used the 8 oz tomato sauce can to "measure" my water so as not to dirty another dish.)

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 Tablespoon chili powder (or taco seasoning would work fine)

• Salt/Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. USING a medium/large skillet that has a lid, brown the ground beef.  Blot off any grease with a paper towel or drain well. 

2. ADD chopped onion and bell pepper once the meat is no longer pink.  

3. COOK a few minutes or until onion/pepper are getting translucent (clear).

4. ADD uncooked rice, stirring and letting the rice sizzle one/two minutes in the beef/onion/pepper mixture until the rice gets glossy.

5. ADD all remaining ingredients (tomatoes, tomato sauce, water/bullion/beef broth, spices and salt/pepper).

6. SIMMER, STIRRING OFTEN so the rice doesn't stick.  (It hardly looks like you can even see the rice at this point.  It's ok.  It will get there!) Once the rice is incorporated and the skillet is simmering (bubbling), turn the skillet down on nearly the lowest setting to cook.

7. COVER with a lid.

8. SIMMER on low (covered) for 20 minutes, barely stirring occasionally (just so the rice doesn't stick) or until the rice is done and expands to fill the skillet.

Optional replacements:

• OMITTING the ground beef and replacing with any drained/rinsed can of beans would be equally delicious!

• ADDING 1 cup of frozen corn or 1 can (drained) whole kernel corn would be great!

• REPLACING the beef bullion + water combo with beef broth is great.  I had water/bullion.

• REPLACING with chicken broth (bullion/water combo) would be fine too!

• REPLACING the uncooked rice with uncooked pasta (small like elbow macaroni) would turn this meal into Chili Mac.  Brilliance!

• TOPPING with grated cheese and adding the lid until melted would be yummy!

• FREEZING leftovers (if using rice) in flour tortillas for freezer burritos would be a bonus!