Sauté the onion and garlic with oil or broth until slightly soft, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, veggies, sausage or beans and smoked paprika. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the flavors mix well. You do not want to cook them much because they will cook with the rice and you don’t want mushy veggies.
Add the packet of rice and 1 ½ cups water. You don’t want to add the 2 cups the packet recommends because it will be too wet with the water the fresh veggies releases.
Bring to a boil, about 2 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes. You can put the top on and walk away or you can leave the top off and mix often to get a drier rice. Add more water if it gets too dry.
Serve garnished with lemon and parsley if preferred.
Notes
You can use any leftover raw veggies you need to use up or that are extra from another recipe. I used mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, yellow pepper, and zucchini. I also topped with a touch of shredded chard.
If you prefer to use regular rice, you can do so but you will need salt and extra spices to get the same great flavor. You’d add about 1 ¼ cups rice.