Simple Skillet Rice

A friend of mine from work taught me the concept of cooking rice in a skillet years ago and it's basically how I prepare "plain" rice most of the time. You can serve something over it, beside it, or add cooked meats to it before adding the liquid. Chicken, smoked sausage, hamburger, whatever you like. It's pretty neutral.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 1 skillet

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups long grain white rice
• 1⁄2 cup butter (or 1 stick)
• 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth (or Beef)
• 1  teaspoon instant minced garlic
• 1  teaspoon  dried onion flakes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1 (14 ounce) can water

Directions

1. In a medium to large skillet, melt butter. Add rice, dried garlic, dried onion and black pepper.
2. Stirring quite frequently, saute' the mix until the rice changes to a pale brown color.
3. Shake the can of broth, then open it and carefully pour it into the skillet with the rice.
4. If you want to add pre-cooked meats and canned vegetables(frozen vegetables will add more time to cooking), do this now -- otherwise:.
5. Add water to the point where the liquid is two times the amount of the rice, a 2 to 1 ratio. This is a key to success with this rice.
6. Stir to mix it all, while bringing it to a boil.
7. Turn your heat down to a simmer and cover your skillet.
8. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes without lifting the cover (this is another key to success with this rice). I prefer glass lids for my pots and skillets so I can see inside my skillet without lifting the lid.
9. When your rice gets holes that look like you've poked your finger in it all over, it is most likely done.
10. At this point lift the lid and stir the rice to see if it's finished and to relieve the heat at the bottom and mix flavor.