Rice is one of the most used ingredients in many dishes, due to its versatility to be combined with a great variety of other foods. In addition, thanks to its flavour and texture, it is a highly appreciated food, especially for the benefits it brings to the body.
That’s the reason why in this post we present a simple Spanish rice recipe that we know you will appreciate very much because it will delight your family and friends and because it can get you out of trouble when you have to prepare a succulent but nutritious meal in almost no time.
Let´s then have a look at the ingredients and preparation directions of this recipe. Also we will provide you with some useful information about jasmine rice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of jasmine rice.
- 2 cups of chicken broth.
- 2 tablespoons of oil.
- ½ cup of chopped onion.
- 1 can of tomato juice.
- ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin powder.
- ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- ¼ teaspoon of chilli powder.
- ⅓ cup of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped.
Preparation
This classic Spanish-style rice is better prepared with jasmine rice type, since it is fine-grained rice very appropriate for this recipe. It should not be confused with Basmati type, although its appearance is similar, but jasmine is more aromatic and softer in texture. It is the perfect side dish to accompany your favourite meals.
For this preparation follow the directions below.
- In a large skillet, sauté rice in oil.
- Add onions and continue to sauté until onions are tender.
- Add remaining ingredients, except cilantro.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove cover and add coriander.
- Serve and enjoy.
As you see it is very simple to prepare. There are other methods of cooking it, as this Spanish rice recipe has several versions depending on the tradition of the region in which it is prepared. Regardless of the version you choose, you’ll always end up with an easy Spanish rice recipe that will please any refined palate. It can be made quickly using white or brown rice and it is the ideal accompaniment to your favourite dish, whether it is chicken, beef or seafood.
About jasmine rice
This well known type of rice is usually referred to as Thai scented rice or Thai rice. Read on here to discover some secrets of jasmine rice.
Due to its texture, it has been recognised as one of the most exquisite and aromatic rice. When cooked, it gives off a natural aroma of jasmine.
If you are a jasmine rice lover, it’s important to keep in mind that this rice must be drained in water before cooking because of its extra starch content. Furthermore, the grains of this variety of rice tend to clump together when cooked, and it is less sticky than other long grain rice types.
It is often mentioned that this variety of rice has a flavour similar to that of roasted nuts or the aroma given off by popcorn.
Properties
The jasmine rice is a healthy and nutritious cereal and has qualities that make it ideal for any type of diet or nutritional requirement. It contains only 103 calories per half cup of white rice and 108 calories per half cup of brown rice.
What’s more, it is a rice that stands out for containing no cholesterol, fat or sodium. It is therefore a complex carbohydrate, gluten-free and non-allergenic. For all these reasons, it is very easy to digest.
How to cook jasmine or Thai rice
For Thai culture the cooking of rice must be perfect. This perfection gives all the aroma and all the quality to the rice.
First place the rice in a glass bowl and wash it very well with your hands under running water until it loses most of its starch, basically until the water runs clear. Once it has been washed, leave it to drain in a covered colander. This operation can be repeated.
Once dry and clean, cook the rice using the absorption method, which is cooked over a low heat until the water evaporates.
The proportion of water and cooking time will depend on the type of rice used, either white or integral.
Place the rice in a pot with the water, salt is never added to Thai rice. Bring to the first boil and once the water is boiling, lower the heat, cover with the lid (if there is no lid, you may use a transparent paper) and cook for 25 minutes (25-35 if it is brown rice).
After this time, remove the pot from the heat and leave it to stand for 5 more minutes, covered, as this completes the cooking process. Remove the rice from the pot and set aside.
Besides serving the Thai rice as a side dish to any beef, chicken or seafood main course, you can also serve it to accompany different Thai-style vegetable salads.
