Are you ready to transform your ordinary dinner into a mouth-watering culinary adventure? This Spanish Rice recipe is about to become your new go-to side dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant kitchens of Spain! With just a handful of simple ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, you'll create a restaurant-quality side that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned home chef, this foolproof recipe promises to deliver authentic flavors and a delightful texture that will elevate any meal.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Spanish
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the long-grain rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, which helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté the chopped onion and bell pepper in the skillet, stirring frequently, until the vegetables become soft and slightly translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cumin to the vegetables, stirring quickly to prevent burning and to release their aromatic flavors, cooking for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir to coat the grains with the vegetable and spice mixture, toasting the rice for about 1-2 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice and create a fluffy texture.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot as a delicious side dish.
Tips
- Rinsing the rice is crucial - it removes excess starch and prevents a gummy texture. Take your time with this step!
- Toasting the rice before adding broth is a game-changer. It develops a nutty, rich flavor that sets this Spanish rice apart from ordinary recipes.
- Use fresh, high-quality chicken broth for the most robust flavor. Homemade is best, but a good store-bought brand works perfectly.
- Don't rush the cooking process. Low and slow is the key to achieving perfectly tender, fluffy rice.
- Let the rice rest after cooking - this allows the steam to redistribute and creates an ideal texture.
- Feel free to customize! Add some diced tomatoes, peas, or even cooked chorizo to make this recipe your own.
- For extra flavor, consider using part of the broth as tomato sauce or adding a pinch of smoked paprika for an authentic Spanish touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 394kcal
Carbohydrates: 84g
Protein: 11g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
