Taco Tuesday Rice

We just love Taco Tuesday in our house.  I always try to mix it up a bit with different side dishes to keep it interesting.  I don't typically buy the prepackaged mixes from the grocery store because they are loaded with sodium and sugars - two things I try to keep at a minimum. 

This week we tried a simple Mexican rice side dish. It was deeeeelishhhhh!  I also liked that it had fresh veggies mixed in and my kids loved it too.

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked (unseasoned) brown rice or whole grain rice

1 teaspoon coconut oil

½ medium onion, diced

1 medium tomato, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ paprika

dash or more (your choice on how hot you want it) cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

chopped cilantro, optional

Directions:

 Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  When hot, add the onions, tomatoes and sauté until just tender, about 2-3 minutes.  Add garlic and sauté for another minute.  

Add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper.  Stir to evenly coat the vegetables.  Add the cooked rice, stir, and cook for 1 minute or until heated through. Mix in cilantro before you serve.