Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice, is a staple in Mexican and Latin American cuisine. While it is often used as a side dish for burritos, tacos, and other Mexican favorites, it can also be a delicious standalone dish.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make Spanish rice at home, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to make the perfect Spanish rice.
Ingredients
To start, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 2 cups of long-grain white rice
– 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 cups of chicken broth
– 1 cup of tomato sauce
– 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
– Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
1. Rinse the rice
Start by rinsing the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. This will help remove excess starch and prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic
Next, heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
3. Add the rice and toast
Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and toast it for a few minutes until it becomes slightly golden brown. This will give the rice a delicious nutty flavor.
4. Add the liquid and seasoning
Now it’s time to add the liquid and seasoning to the rice mixture. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan and stir everything together.
5. Bring to a boil
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer
Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let the rice simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
7. Fluff and serve
After the rice has finished cooking, fluff it with a fork and serve it immediately with chopped cilantro as a garnish, if desired.
FAQs
1. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice instead of white rice. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio as brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cook time.
2. Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this dish vegan or vegetarian-friendly.
3. What can I serve Spanish rice with?
Spanish rice can be served with a wide variety of dishes such as tacos, burritos, grilled chicken or fish, fajitas, and more.
4. How do I store leftover Spanish rice?
Leftover Spanish rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Spanish rice is a simple and delicious dish that can be enjoyed on its own or served as a side dish with your favorite Mexican and Latin American cuisine. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can easily make this dish at home and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.