Mexi Beef & Rice Casserole

It's not really Mexican, but it draws on the flavours of Mexico too single-mindedly to really call it anything else.  It's not really Tex-Mex either, and BC-Mex just sounds terrible. Got leftovers?  Try using them as a burrito filling by wrapping them in extra-large flour tortillas.

Serves 4 - 6
Total prep and cooking time: 40 minutes    

500 grams lean ground beef

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup raw parboiled rice

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 jalapeņo chile, minced

1 cup frozen corn kernels

 

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 shot Tabasco pepper sauce

1 1/2 cups prepared salsa

1 cup water or stock of your choice

salt and pepper to taste

grated cheese and fresh cilantro (for garnish)

In a large skillet, brown the beef in little or no oil.  Add the onion and garlic, and cook until slightly translucent. Add the chili powder, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and stir together. Add the raw rice, and stir around so that it gets thoroughly coated by the spices and juices. Add the corn, green pepper, and jalapeņo, and stir through. Add the salsa, the Tabasco sauce, and the water, and stir, scraping the bottom so that nothing sticks and burns.

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, cover the pan, reduce the heat to very low, and allow to cook for approximately 20 minutes. Lift the lid and taste a little rice to ensure that it is cooked. If liquid remains, allow to cook a little longer uncovered to evaporate any excess.

Garnish with grated cheese and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with tortillas, or large tortilla chips for scooping, and extra hot sauce or salsa to taste. 

 

 

PSSST!

Want a vegetarian version?  Use a 19 oz./540 ml. can of black beans, drained and rinsed, in place of the beef, and start the recipe by frying the onion and garlic in a little canola oil.  Add the beans at the same time as the salsa.

Want a bigger, healthier, meaty casserole? Proceed with the beef version as written, and add the black beans as indicated for the vegetarian version.