#1,441: Texas Hash

Does anyone else think the word Texas Hash should include some sort of potato??  Every time I think of this recipe I think I'm forgetting to add potatoes to it.  So this is basically a seasoned ground beef/turkey mixture with rice.  (I think it needs a different name).  Sounds good enough to me though!  I knew I was pushing my luck with this recipe with my husband, and if he was going to like it, I was probably going to have to add texture by crushing up some tortilla chips on top.  Sadly, I didn't have any on hand, so he had to have this as is.  Allison and I really enjoyed this simple meal/dinner.  Brian thought it was just ok (no shock there).  Matthew (2 yrs) would only even attempt to eat this if I put it in a quesadilla for him.  :)  For me, I would make this again (and add some corn and diced tomatoes), but for my family, they weren't overly impressed, so I probably won't make this too often.  

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced green bell pepper (I omitted, but would add next time)

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 pound ground beef (I used ground turkey)

½ teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ cup long grain white rice

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with juice (I omitted, but would add next time)

1 cup water

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet that has a tight fitting cover, heat olive oil over medium high. Add onion, peppers, garlic, ground beef, dry mustard, chili powder, salt and pepper. Sauté until ground beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef as you cook.  Add rice and cook for two minutes letting rice absorb liquid.

Add tomato paste and cook for one minute. Add canned tomatoes with juice, water and Worcestershire sauce. Stir, cover and simmer for 20 minutes covered.

After 20 minutes, remove lid and fluff the mixture then serve. If the mixture is to wet, cook for another few minutes with lid off.  If you are using the cheese, sprinkle on top for last few minutes of cooking time with lid on.