10 Minute Mexican Style Rice

Have you ever had this question is looming over your head “What can I make for dinner that isn’t going to require a trip to the grocery store, more than 30 minutes, is healthy?”?  Thought so.  Me too.

 

During the week, knowing that I can make a tasty (and healthy) dinner quickly is a relief.  I don’t know about you, but we love us some Mexican food here at casa FSL.  Click here to see the recipe page for some great ideas for quick healthy meals during the week.

 

The key  to developing your week night recipe arsenal is to have some great base recipes that you can add an ingredient or two to end up with lots of meal possibilities.  I’m going to share one of the easiest, tastiest, healthiest base recipes I’ve got.

 

This recipe came together out of sheer necessity.  My husband and I were just married for a couple of months, living together in our own home for a few weeks.  I was a real first timer in the “Let’s play house” realm.  No clue what I was doing.  I didn’t know what to buy when I went food shopping.   I’d buy random things and end up with very random meals (think Italian pork chops, chicken soup, a can of corn, and fudgesicles for dessert).  I wish I was joking.

 

One night, I threw some steaks on the grill (can’t really mess that up) and had nothing to make as a side.  Poor Mr. FSL had no idea how clueless I was (either that or he was extremely polite by not pointing it out and eating whatever I gave him).  While he was off mowing the lawn, I was preparing a gorgeous dinner in a total panic.  I remembered an episode of  No Reservations that I saw.  It was about how Italians live on what is readily available to them.  Read my post about  that idea here.  I was inspired by the concept of people making delicious food from what they had, not some fancy cookbook.   That’s exactly what I did to make my 10 minute Mexican style rice.

 

What I use for the base recipe:

1 bag of 10 minute brown rice (yep, boil in the bag–I’m fancy 😛  No strainer to wash because it strains in the bag and quick on time )

1/2 jar of salsa OR a can of flavored stewed tomatoes

1 can of corn

 

3 ingredients.  Yep. Now we’re talkin.

 

Here’s what to do…

 

Boil the rice until done.

 

 

 

Add your salsa.  Stir over low heat.

 

 

 

Add your corn. Stir over low heat.

 

 

At this point the base recipe is done.  As a side, I usually add some shredded cheese and call it a day.

 

 

I’ve made this side into a meal by doubling the base recipe and stirring in these easy shortcuts…

*black, red, white beans

* grilled chicken

* grilled shrimp

* grilled steak

* sliced grilled pork chops

* grilled peppers (or any other veggies you might like)

 

The variations are limited only by your taste preferences.

 

There ya go.  Loads of options for a fast and easy dinner.  Sit back and let your family think you slaved for hours over dinner (it will be our little secret 😉  )