Spanish Rice

This is a modified version of Mom’s recipe that I picked up in 1997. When the boys were small, we didn’t have much and I hated to waste anything, not even an onion. I converted from fresh onion and garlic to powdered and from tomato sauce to tomato juice – all things that would keep on the shelf for a time.

Years later, the boys would only eat “my” fluffy rice. When I would visit Mom & Dad, I had to make the rice for the boys so they would eat it. 🙂 Silly boys.

Spanish Rice

This is a twist on traditional Spanish Rice that makes it kid-friendly. The rice comes out fluffy!
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: rice, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 33kcal
Author: Cindy Franco Sawyer

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup long-grained rice
  • 1 ½ tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 dashes onion powder
  • 1 dash garlic powder
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 dashes cumin
  • 1 – 5.5 oz can tomato juice
  • 2 cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a skillet, add vegetable oil, onion powder, garlic powder and rice. Stir to coat the rice in oil.
  • Saute ver medium heat, stirring constantly until rice is opaque ("brown" the rice).
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir slightly to mix the spices and get to a boil.
  • Turn heat down and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Check for doneness, but do not stir.

NOTES

Making fluffy rice. Browning the rice. The trick isn’t the brand or rice you use, it’s browning it correctly. (I use cheap Kroger-brand long grain rice.) Don’t skimp on browning the rice! Stir constantly so that the rice is no longer translucent, but not actually brown. This is important for fluffy rice.
Stirring rice while it’s cooking. Don’t do it! You might be tempted, but don’t – this makes sticky rice.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts
Spanish Rice
Amount per Serving
Calories
33
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Sodium
 
586
mg
25
%
Potassium
 
6
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
5
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.