Budget Spanish Rice

Budget Spanish Rice

A simple, flavorful, and economical Spanish-style rice dish, perfect as a main or side. This recipe focuses on pantry staples to create a comforting meal without breaking the bank.

Basil Rouxby Basil Roux
0.0 · 0 ratings
45 min (15m prep, 30m cook)
4 servings
SpanishMexicanMain CourseDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeFish-FreeSesame-Free

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 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.

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