Taco Rice Mix

In a quart-sized Ziploc bag combine the following ingredients:

 *1 cup long grain brown rice or white rice

* 2 teaspoons chili powder

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 tsp each oregano & cumin & garlic powder

* 2 tablespoons dry onion

* Dash red pepper flakes

To Prepare:

        * 1 package of Taco Rice Mix

        * 1 or 2 tablespoons oil

        * 8 oz can tomato sauce or 1 c. chopped tomatoes

        * 2 cups water

Get out a 2-quart saucepan.  Heat the oil in the pan over medium heat.  Add the contents of the Taco Rice Mix.  Sauté the rice and seasonings in the hot oil until the rice is toasty and slightly opaque. Add the tomato sauce and water.  Stir it up and bring it to a boil.  When it starts to boil, cover the pan with a good lid and reduce the heat to very low.  Brown rice will cook in 45 minutes.  White rice will cook in 20 minutes.  Serve topped with cheese for a main dish, or just like it is as a side dish.  This recipe doubles easily.  Cook it in a 3-quart saucepan if you double it. Makes 4 servings.

Variations

To make Taco Style Beans & Rice add a 15 oz can of kidney or pinto or black beans (1-1/2 cups cooked beans) well drained and rinsed, along with the tomato sauce and water.  Cook as directed.

To make Taco TVP & Rice Mix add 1 cup of plain TVP and 2 bouillon cubes to the rice mixture.  Use the flavor of bouillon that you prefer.  When you prepare the dish, increase the water to 2-3/4 cups.  Otherwise, proceed as directed.