FIRST STEP: COOK THE RICE

1. Rinse the Rice: Begin by rinsing the rice under cold water to remove excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from being too sticky when cooked.
2. Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic powder and rice, and stir to coat the rice in the oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast.
3. Add Liquid: Pour in the water or chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for about 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.

SECOND STEP: PREPARE THE STEAK

1. Season the Steak: While the rice is cooking, prepare the steak. Pat the steak dry with paper towels and rub both sides with olive oil. Season generously with ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Sear the Steak: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, place the steak in the pan and sear it for about 4-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak and desired doneness. For medium-rare, cook the steak for 4 minutes per side. For medium, cook for 5 minutes per side.
3. Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the skillet and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and flavorful steak.
4. Slice the Steak: After the steak has rested, slice it thinly against the grain into strips. This ensures the steak remains tender.

THIRD STEP: MAKE THE QUESO SAUCE

1. Melt the Butter: In the same skillet you used to cook the steak, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add Milk: Pour in the milk and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
4. Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese, allowing each batch to melt before adding more. Stir continuously until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
5. Season the Queso: Once the cheese has melted, add the chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. For a spicier queso, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.

FINAL STEP: ASSEMBLE AND SERVE

1. Serve the Rice: Spoon the cooked rice onto plates, spreading it out evenly as the base for the dish.
2. Top with Steak: Arrange the sliced steak on top of the rice, allowing the juices from the steak to soak into the rice for added flavor.
3. Add the Queso Sauce: Generously spoon the warm queso sauce over the steak, letting it cascade over the sides and mix with the rice.
4. Garnish: If desired, garnish the dish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, avocado slices, and lime wedges. These additions provide a fresh contrast to the richness of the queso and steak.
5. Serve Immediately: Serve the Steak & Queso Rice hot, ensuring the queso remains creamy and the steak stays tender.