Easy Spanish Rice & Ground Beef Tacos

We had one of my all time favorite meals recently. The meal consisted of homemade beef tacos and spanish style rice. I will share both of the recipes I used. This meal was extremely filling and satisfying. I had one taco and one serving of rice and was full all evening.

Easy Spanish Rice
Serves: 4 to 6 servings
Adapted by: http://www.abigmouthful.com/easy-restaurant-style-mexican-rice/

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced finely
2 cups long grain rice of your choice -I used long grain brown rice for added nutritional value
1 16oz jar chunky salsa - we used medium for some spice
1 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon lite salt
1 cup corn

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Heat a large dutch oven or oven-safe pan with a lid over medium heat. Add olive oil and onion and saute for about 10 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute.
-Add rice to the pan and stir for 2 minutes. This will toast the rice a little.
-Stir in salsa, chicken stock, and salt and bring to a boil. Put lid on the pot and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
-Remove from oven and fluff rice with a fork. Add in the corn.
-Serve immediately

Ground Beef Tacos
Serves: 4
Adapted by: http://www.handletheheat.com/2012/05/ground-beef-tacos.html

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef (you could substitute ground turkey or chicken)
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon lite salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 8oz can tomato sauce - try to use lower sodium versions
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced finely
taco shells or soft taco shells - we used hard, whole grain taco shells
taco garnishes - lettuce, tomato, sour cream, mexican cheese, bell pepper, and/or cilantro

Directions
-Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
-Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
-Add the ground beef and cook until cooked through and in small pieces. Drain the fat from the pan. You can rinse the cooked meat off to remove even more of the fat.
-Return meat to the hot pan and add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds and then add tomato sauce and jalapeno. Reduce heat to low and heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-Serve in taco shells with desired toppings.

Enjoy! :)