Mexican Rice

This is a dish I learned with my Mama. We both add our own touches to it so it's very customizable based on an individual's tastes. Recently we made it for our family members in the Middle East and they went absolutely nuts over it!

Ingredients:
1 cup long grain white rice
2 tbspn tomato paste (unsalted)
2 tbspn vegetable oil
1 tbpsn cumin
1 tbspn garlic powder
1 tspn salt
1 tspn white pepper
1 large green bell pepper (chopped)
1 can of sweet corn kernels
1 small white onion (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil 2 1/2 cups of water in a separate pot or in a kettle
2. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan
3. Sautee onion until they are a pinkish brown color then toss in the green bell pepper and corn kernels.
4. Add rice, cumin, garlic powder, salt, white pepper. Make sure rice is coated well in the oil and veggies.
5. Add tomato paste and make sure everything is coated well.
6. Pour boiling water over the rice and veggies. Cover and reduce heat to low.
7. Stir once after about 15 minutes then let cook. It should take around 35-45 min.
8. When rice is cooked, serve on a flat plate and garnish with fresh cilantro.