There are certain moments that happen in your life that indicate that you’re growing up. Graduating, paying bills, and getting married are such examples. For me, I knew that I was on my way to true adulthood when I found out I didn’t have to pick the tomatoes out of one of my mom’s signature dishes, Spanish rice. I was able to enjoy the flavor that they brought to the meal, and it really enhanced the experience. I thought to myself, “Wow. I’m really not a little kid anymore.”
And then there are things that indicate to me that I’m still an immature teenager - why else do you think I’d refer to this dish as a “quick and dirty” one? Growth is a long process. Unlike growth, the creation of this meal is a rather short process, and that is precisely why I chose to share it with you. It’s a sophisticated, grown up meal with the teenage twist of being easy and affordable. Sounds like the best of both worlds, right?
Three ingredients are all you need to pick up. A one-pound package of ground beef will run you about $4, but chicken or pork can easily be substituted. Get yourself a can of petite diced tomatoes, which will cost around $1. Before you get your box of Spanish rice mix, be sure to check if it’s on sale. It frequently will be promotionally priced at 10 for $10 at Publix. If you want to add a little something extra, Mexican or cheddar cheese is a nice touch as well. If you’re looking for something more vegetarian, the dish is also good without the meat.
The first thing you have to do is brown the ground beef in a pot. Follow the directions on the box to figure out how much water is needed, then mix that, the rice, the seasoning and the tomatoes in with your ground beef. Bring it to a boil. Once it gets there, go ahead and let it simmer. Cover the top so that it can cook for about twenty-five minutes and then let it cool. It might be quick and dirty, but it’s also delicious and satisfying - you can’t beat that.
