A Congratulations Dinner!

The Sister (from another Mother) graduated from Nursing School this month! I could not be more proud of her. This girl quit her job and went back for a second Bachelor’s degree in a completely different field. In the middle of obtaining this degree, her life changed. A lot! That story is not mine to tell, but believe me, things change for her-- good change. Honestly, I think I would have thrown in the towel on the second Bachelor’s degree had I been in her shoes, but not her. She took things as they came, did not get stressed out, and just kept on going.

And so as I watched her walk across a room full of nursing students to receive her nursing pin, I just could not have been any more proud of her! My eyes filled with tears as her boys ran across to hug her and as her husband place her pin on her shirt. I love that family.

I invited them over for dinner the other day and told her I would cook whatever she wanted. Come for dinner, for the boys to play, and for a good time. Because, the get-togethers have been too far apart here lately since she had so many finals to study for and all the hours to put in at the hospital.

She said she wanted the tacos. The Tacos. This is what they are called at our house and we all know what they are. They are Yummy.

You can get the entire easy peasy recipe for this dinner from my Aunt Martha’s website. http://www.marthastewart.com/menu/smoky-beef-tacos-with-rice-and-beans-pineapple-salad-and-mexican-snowballs

Make all of it -- the tacos, the pineapples, the rice, and the snowballs. The main thing I change up with the beef is the amount of peppers. I use the entire can of peppers, or half, depending on who is coming to eat. There are some people we know, who shall remain nameless, that cannot handle the heat! Oh, I also throw in another jalapeno or two to the pineapples. What can I say, I like things spicy! Make this meal and invite friends over and have a good ‘ol time. You will be hailed a fabulous cook.

However, for this dinner, I just made plain Mexican rice. And this is the recipe I will share with you today. I’ve made so many failed Mexican rice recipes that it is not funny. About a year and a half ago, this lady at my work gave me a recipe and told me it would be fabulous. She was not kidding. This rice is GREAT!

1 tablespoon of olive oil
Half white onion, chopped

Heaping tablespoon of minced garlic

1 cup white rice

1 can chicken broth

2 heaping tablespoons of tomato bullion

2 jalapeno peppers, whole

Heat up olive oil over medium heat in a medium pan. Add chopped onions and sauté. Add garlic and cook for a minute or so. Add in rice and stir for another minute. Then add chicken broth, tomato bullion and jalapenos. Cover and simmer until rice is cooked. Stir with a fork and serve!

It is yummy and easy and simple.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS to The Sister!!! And thanks for giving me a reason to cook up The Tacos!

Love you dearly, and all your boys too…...even the policeman who likes to give me a hard time.