At our house we love Mexican food. So much so that I have made a lot of inter-cuisine concoctions that we flavor with Mexican condiments just to satisfy our Mexican cravings. For example, I regularly make 'tacos' with whole wheat pita breads or 'burritos' with some mild curry and salsa. I always buy a pack of pita bread whenever I visit Trade Joe's (their whole wheat pitas are the best!). On some weekday evenings when I come back from office craving Mexican, all I do is put the Spanish rice on stove and while its cooking make a quick guacamole and a black bean tomato salsa (frozen avocados, frozen corn and canned black beans all have permanent reserved places in my pantry). I stuff the pitas with salsa, rice and avocados and may be some Monterey Jack cheese and thats it! A satisfying Mexican meal on table in less than 30-minutes and without a trip to a grocery store!
So, that brings me to today's recipe: spanish rice. I have been making this recipe for so long that I don't even remember its source.. this is the perfect Spanish rice recipe I have tried. The rice always turns out so soft and moist and fluffy with a nice tomato, oregano flavor. If fresh tomatoes are not in season, use tomato paste. Infact tomato paste gives a deeper red hue than fresh tomatoes but I like the taste of fresh tomatoes better.
Recipe:
Source: unknown
Ingredients:
1C white long-grain rice
2C water
1/2 onion - finely chopped
1 clove of garlic - crushed
2 tomatoes - chopped into large pieces
1Tbsp tomato paste (if using no fresh tomatoes - I skipped the tomato paste)
pinch of dried oregano (or fresh!)
1Tbsp olive oil
salt
Recipe:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot.
- Add the rice and toast for a couple of minutes until the rice is aromatic (couple of mins).
- Add onions and garlic and cook for a couple more minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes, water and salt.
- Bring the mixture to boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cook covered for 15-20mins until all the water is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, mix well with a light hand and serve!
Comments
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Kairali sisters
Loved this... Even I am a big fan of mexican but haven't tried many recipes at home.
Kairali sisters, thanks! I am a frequent craver of Mexican cuisine.
Pari, thanks! yes, this rice cooks up so fast its perfect for weekday nights.
Treat and trick, absolutely! pantry and freezer is such a great friend. ever since i found frozen avocados, my life has been made so much easier.
Kanchan, thanks! Mexican cooks much faster and its just soooo tasty, isn't it!
Priya, thanks! so glad you liked it.
An open book, where i live Mexican restaurants are everywhere! but not that many good vegetarian choice usually.
Sonia, thanks! The bowl was a chance finding at a local grocery store... i like it too.. specially for pink or red colored foods :)
Nupur, same here.. i crave Mexican so much that I finally just decided to learn to make it well at home.
Rachana, thanks! So glad you liked it.
Kalyn, New Mexico has some of the best Mexican joints as far as I have heard!
Indo, sounds great! The heat for me usually comes from the salsa. Though, feel free to add chili flakes, i think they will go very well with the rice too :)
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Padhu, oh, you should.. it prepares in no time.
Joanne, surprizingly i have been very happy with frozen avocados, corns and canned black beans. With pitas at hand, all i need is some fresh tomatoes and lime!
Deepa, thanks! So glad you liked it.
Panchpakwan, thanks! SO glad you liked it.
Very easy breezy recipe!
Long time no see in my blog if u get a chance do stop by PJ
Cham, thanks! it is super easy.
Mints!, thanks! its always a good time for Mexican :D
Hari, thanks! I am so glad you liked it.
FoodLovers, i'll be there is a jiffy!