Simple Spanish Rice

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups instant rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (11 ounce) can vegetable juice (such as V8)
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir rice, onion, and bell pepper in hot oil until the vegetables are slightly tender and rice is lightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

Stir diced tomatoes, vegetable juice, tomato sauce, water, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the rice mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes more.