Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 cup (APPROXIMATELY) chicken broth or stock, see NOTES below
• 1 cup (APPROXIMATELY) tomato sauce or puree, see NOTES below
• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup diced fresh tomatoes, seeded & drained (optional)

Instructions

1. Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and melt the olive oil and butter together. Add the rice and stir so it is evenly coated. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until the rice becomes lightly toasted.
2. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, oregano, and diced tomatoes (if using). Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, stir well, lower the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 20 minutes (or follow the cooking time listed on your rice package; see NOTES below). If the liquid has not fully absorbed or the rice is still slightly firm after 20 minutes, keep covered and cook an additional 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and keep it covered for a few minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

• The liquid amounts and cook time should be treated as flexible guidelines. Always refer to the instructions on your specific bag of rice to determine how much liquid is required per 1 cup of rice and the appropriate cooking time. For example, if your rice calls for 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice, replace that water with 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup tomato sauce.
• Aim to keep the chicken broth and tomato sauce close to a 50/50 ratio, adjusting slightly toward more broth if needed. If your rice requires 1 ¾ cups of liquid, use 1 cup chicken broth and ¾ cup tomato sauce.
• After toasting the rice, adding the remaining ingredients, and bringing everything to a boil, complete the cooking process based on the time recommended on the rice packaging.
• For extra flavor, diced and drained green chiles (mild) or jalapeños (spicy) may be added along with the diced tomatoes.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or salsa if desired. This rice works well as a side dish or as the foundation for a rice bowl.