Ternera mexicana con arroz en sartén, mejor que para llevar

Ingredientes

• 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños

Preparación

1. 1

   Place a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until deeply browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat.

2. 2

   Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.

3. 3

   Push the beef and onions to one side of the skillet. Add the uncooked rice to the empty space. Stir the rice in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to look opaque and you hear a faint popping sound.

4. 4

   Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly.

5. 5

   Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (including all the juice) and the beef broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.

7. 7

   After 18 minutes, check the rice. It should be tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. Remove the skillet from the heat.

8. 8

   Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 5 minutes off the heat to allow the cheese to melt.

9. 9

   Remove the lid. Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sour cream, or sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve directly from the skillet.