Spanish rice has a unique flavor and kick that makes it stand out as one of the quintessential Mexican side dishes. Nothing tastes better than taking a forkful of hot refried beans and putting it in a thick pile of Spanish rice. While you can go ahead and buy boxed side dishes that adequately replicate the Spanish rice experience, it’s best to make your own from scratch to get the real deal. Here is a simple recipe you can make from home to recreate this great addition to any Mexican dish.
1. Start with a twelve-inch saucepan filled with a quarter cup of vegetable oil and bring to medium heat.
2. Next, add two cups full of long-grain white rice to the pan with hot oil. Allow the rice to sauté in the pan for ten to fifteen minutes so that the rice is a nice golden color and fully toasted.
3. Add half a diced yellow onion and half a sliced bell pepper. Let cook until tender for about five to ten minutes.
4. You can add garlic powder at this step, but it is recommended that you use three full cloves of minced garlic that have been run through a garlic press to ensure it is minced enough. Cook for an additional three minutes until the garlic begins to release its aroma, signaling to move on to the next step.
5. Take two teaspoons of salt, three-quarters of a cup of tomato puree, and two and three-quarters of a cup of chicken broth and add them to the pan. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a full boil while stirring continuously.
6. Boil for two minutes before reducing the heat and allowing the Spanish rice to simmer for twenty minutes covered.
7. Once the time has elapsed, add three-quarters of a cup of frozen peas. Take the pan back and let it sit for five minutes to let the peas thaw.
8. Serve the rice as a side dish or as a side dish during your next meal.
To keep sodium levels at healthy levels, since Spanish rice tends to be salty, opt for sea salt and low-sodium chicken broth to lower sodium levels. You can make your own broth by simply boiling some chicken in water and retaining the water afterwards. You can also put pork or chorizo in the Spanish rice as an option. Add the meat at the same time you add the broth. Make sure the meat you choose is fully cooked before adding it to the Spanish rice you are cooking.