Momma Sumer's Mexican Rice Recipe

   My hubby is mexican and grew up eating pretty much just mexican food. I use to tell people "If he can't wrap it in a tortilla, he won't eat it!" I remember for the first few years of our marriage, whenever I would make chicken soup he would heat up refried beans and take the chicken and potatoes from the soup and make burritos.
   The man loves beans and rice and I could not make rice for the life of me. It was so frustrating. I had his mom show me, his aunt, my step mom and even our good friend showed me, and my rice still sucked. I don't know what happened but all of a sudden one day it was like an "ahh haa!" moment. So, for those of you who may have the same problem with rice as I did, try this recipe and let me know if it helps.

Ingredients:
3-4 TBSP oil
2 cups white rice
2 TBSP taco seasoning
1 TBSP chili powder
1/2 cup salsa fresca  (***alternate noted below)
4 cups water
1 cup frozen mixed veggies

Directions:
-Heat oil in pan on medium heat, it's a 4 on my stove
-Add rice and stir until rice is no longer translucent, but don't let rice turn brown!
-Add spices and stir
-Add salsa, water and veggies, stir
-Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and let cook on low, I usually turn the stove down to a 2.

This is my youngest daughter, she asked me to take a pic her eating my rice! Isn't she the cutest?

 

   I'm not sure exactly how long to let the rice cook, probably about 30-40 minutes. I start the rice first then make everything else and just keep an eye on it, checking it every once in a while. If it seems done I turn the stove off and let it sit there until we're ready to eat. Sometimes, it's done at the same time as everything else and other times we're waiting for the rice. Just open it up and take a little bite, when it's done to you, it's done.

 

 

***If you don't have salsa made and don't want to take the time to make it , just throw the water, a tomato, some cilantro, a clove of garlic, some onion, and little lime juice in your blender, liquify and use this.***