Spanish Rice

Perfect with beans and taquitos :P

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion (about 1 medium sized onion)
• 1  tablespoon margarine or 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  tablespoon  cooking oil (like Olive Oil or Canola Oil)
• 1  cup raw rice
• 1  cup ground beef (taco filling)
• 1⁄2 cup  diced green pepper (or any pepper)
• 2  cups water, PLUS
• 1  teaspoon beef bouillon powder
• 1⁄4 cup  prepared salsa
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1  garlic clove, smashed

• Taco Seasoning

• 1  tablespoon ground cumin
• 2  tablespoons chili powder
• 1  tablespoon  dried onion flakes, rubbed between your fingers to crush slightly
• 1⁄2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄2 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 1  pinch cayenne, to taste
• 1  pinch sugar
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. Mix taco seasoning ingredients together. To make taco filling, stir this mixture into one or one and a half pounds browned ground beef.
2. Add 1 cup cold water, stir well, and simmer until liquid is almost gone (about 15 minutes or so).
3. Melt margarine and oil in a saute pan. Add onions, and cook until onions are clear and soft; add in raw rice.
4. Cook rice, stirring constantly, until rice is turning golden, about 3 or 4 minutes. Add in peppers and taco meat, and garlic if using fresh garlic. Heat all through for about 1 minute. Add in water and the rest of the ingredients and stir to blend well.
5. Cover the pan, and lower heat to low or 'simmer', and simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes, until rice is cooked.
6. Serve with a salad and some cornbread, or corn chips for a complete meal.