Budget Spanish Rice

• •1.5 cup long-grain white rice
• •2 tablespoon olive oil
• •0.5 large yellow onion, finely diced
• •3 garlic cloves, minced
• •15 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• •2.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• •0.5 teaspoon salt
• •0.3 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• •0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• •2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add the finely diced yellow onion to the hot oil and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.

3. 3

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

4. 4

   Add the long-grain white rice to the pot. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes, toasting the rice until it becomes slightly translucent around the edges and takes on a very light golden color.

5. 5

   Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

6. 6

   Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with its lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Do not lift the lid during this process.

7. 7

   Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for an additional 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become extra fluffy.

8. 8

   Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Chef's Tips

• 💡Do not rinse the rice for this dish; the starch helps create a slightly thicker, more cohesive texture and aids in absorbing the tomato flavor.
• 💡Toasting the rice before adding liquid is a crucial step that adds a nutty depth of flavor and helps the grains remain separate and fluffy.
• 💡Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice is simmering. This traps the steam necessary for even cooking and prevents the rice from drying out.
• 💡If you don't have broth, you can use water with a bouillon cube dissolved in it for a budget-friendly alternative.
• 💡Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste at the very end, after the rice has finished cooking.