Spanish Rice

This is my very favorite version of Spanish Rice. I actually don't like any other Spanish Rice recipe that I can recall ever trying, including packaged mixes. This is also very easy to make; the process is a lot like making Rice-a-Roni. The leftovers are great too!

Spanish Rice

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 cup uncooked rice

1 onion, chopped

1/2-1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (10-14 oz) can diced tomatoes (with diced chilies or jalapeños optional)

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1 can diced green chilies/ jalapeños optional)

2 cups water or chicken broth

Heat oil in deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté rice, onion, green bell pepper and garlic until rice is browned and onions are tender. Stir in water, tomatoes (undrained), chili powder, and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

Slow-Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken

from Kraft Foods

I love the flavor in this easy slow cooker meal. The recipe calls for it to be eaten over rice but I love it wrapped in tortillas too, especially lightly fried corn tortillas.

Slow-Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken

1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch-wide strips
2 Tbsp. (1/2 of 1 ¼ oz. pkg) Taco Seasoning Mix
2 Tbsp. flour
1 each green and red pepper, cut into 1” wide strips
1 cup frozen corn or 1 can corn
1-1/2 cups Salsa
1 cup Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese

TOSS chicken with seasoning and flour in slow cooker. Stir in all remaining ingredients except the shredded cheese; cover with lid.

COOK on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours).

STIR just before serving. Top with the shredded cheese. Serve over hot cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro.

Makes 4 servings

Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup

from AllRecipes.com

I tried this soup out the other day for a Soup Party we had with some friends. It was very easy and very tasty. I love cumin! If you like spicy, you could add a little more pep, like some jalapeños. The corn tortilla strips are pretty good but tortilla chips would work just as well. Also, a dollop of sour cream on top is excellent.

Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 1/2 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth or Natural Goodness™ or Certified Organic Chicken Broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
• 1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn with red and green bell peppers, drained
• 1 cup Pace® Thick & Chunky Salsa
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Crisp Tortilla Strips:
• 4 corn tortillas
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. Spray a 6-quart sauce pot with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken to the sauce pot. Cook until it's browned, stirring often.
2. Stir in the broth, cumin and rice. Heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Stir in the corn, salsa, cilantro and lime juice. Cook until the rice is tender. Top each serving of soup with Crisp Tortilla Strips.
4. Crisp Tortilla Strips: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut 4 corn tortillas into thin strips and place them on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden.