Description
Sizzling Spanish rice brings a fiesta of flavors straight from Spain’s culinary heart. Aromatic spices and tender grains dance together, promising a simple yet spectacular side dish that transports diners to Mediterranean sunshine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped cilantro or lime wedges (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with a fitted lid, introducing oil and allowing it to heat at medium temperature.
- Tumble rice into the skillet, stirring continuously until grains transform into a golden, aromatic hue, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate finely diced onions, sautéing them until they become translucent and tender, roughly 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, allowing its pungent essence to permeate the mixture for about 30 seconds.
- Stream chicken broth and tomato sauce into the skillet, sprinkling cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper throughout the mixture.
- Gently agitate ingredients to ensure comprehensive integration of flavors.
- Elevate temperature until the liquid reaches a mild bubbling state, then immediately reduce heat to its lowest setting.
- Secure skillet with lid, allowing contents to simmer undisturbed for 16-18 minutes, or until rice achieves complete tenderness and liquid vanishes.
- Withdraw skillet from heat source, maintaining lid placement for an additional 5 minutes to permit final moisture absorption.
- Delicately separate rice grains using a fork, creating a light, fluffy texture.
- Optional: Embellish with freshly chopped cilantro or a zesty lime squeeze before serving warm.
Notes
- Toasting rice creates a nutty, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish, so don’t rush this step and stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder for those who prefer milder or more intense flavors.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make the recipe completely vegetarian, maintaining the same delicious depth of flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure all packaged ingredients like broth and tomato sauce are certified gluten-free before preparing the dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg