Homemade Boxed Rice — The Sofrito Project

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• Large pinch kosher salt
• Large pinch cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup fideo noodles (see note)
• Favorite salt-free spice blend, to taste
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1/2 vegetable bouillon cube
• 2 1/2 cups water