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A plate of Spanish rice with fresh tomatoes, some tacos and refried beans.
Victoria Haneveer

Spanish Rice Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes

Spanish rice with fresh tomatoes combines toasted long-grain rice with Roma tomato, tomato sauce, garlic, cumin, onion and chili. Serve this easy Mexican rice with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas or grilled meats.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (210g) uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (250ml) cold water
  • 1 cup (250ml) chicken broth
  • ¼ cup (60ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 Roma tomato, diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 chili pepper, sliced lengthwise
  • Salt, to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook while stirring until several grains are golden.
  2. Add the garlic when the rice is almost browned and cook briefly. Pour in the water and chicken broth.
  3. Add the onion, tomato sauce, diced tomato, cumin, chili and salt, then stir well. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
  4. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes without stirring or repeatedly lifting the lid. Check the rice after 20 minutes and continue cooking if liquid remains or the grains are still firm.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat once the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Leave the rice covered for 10 minutes, remove the chili, fluff with a fork and serve hot.

Notes

  • Replace the chicken broth with a tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder dissolved in a cup (250ml) of hot water if needed.
  • Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
  • Add salt carefully because broth and bouillon can already be salty.
  • Remove the chili seeds or leave out the chili for mild rice.
  • Don’t lift the lid repeatedly while the rice is cooking.
  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within 3 to 4 days.