Spanish Rice

by Susie
(USA)

2 cups white rice, rinsed
4 cups hot (not boiling) water
2 Knorr's tomato with chicken flavor bouillon cubes
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2 tablespoons canola oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic, chopped
Tomato paste (optional)
1 15 1/2 oz. can diced, no salt added tomatoes (optional)

Brown ground beef in a large frying pan, add salt and pepper to taste. When done set aside in a bowl. Add canola oil to fry pan set on medium heat and when oil is warm, add white rice. Stir rice until it begins to brown.

Once rice is brown, add garlic (as much or as little as you would like) to the rice and cook for 1 more minute (until it smells garlicky). Reduce heat to medium low and add water and crushed bouillon cubes. Stir and when water
begins to boil, add cooked ground beef and if desired, tomato paste (I just use enough so the rice is a nice tomato color). Add diced tomatoes if desired (I don't always use the entire can). When water comes back up to a
boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes. Don't stir too often as the rice will become sticky. Serve with warmed soft corn
and flour tortillas.

Serves at least 8 (probably more). If using as a side dish, omit the ground beef.