Monday, April 25, 2011

Spanish Rice

Before I get into this recipe I feel it necessary to make a statement: ahem

In posting this recipe for Spanish Rice, it is not my intention to start a riot.  It is not my purpose to offend you, your family, your grandmother, your country, or your culture.  Thank you.

I realize that this is one of those dishes that everyone has their own "family recipe" for.  Everyone in the family makes it the same way because that is how it is expected to be done.  Not that you couldn't tolerate a different recipe if it were served to you at someone else's home, or a restaurant, or something, but if you go to a family member's house and they serve you spanish rice, you already know exactly what its going to taste like because its the same recipe you use when you make it yourself.  Why?  Because that's they way you were taught!  Because that's the way your mom was taught.  Because that's the way your aunts, cousins, grandma, and great-grandmas were taught! 

I totally get it. 

So don't hate me, okay?  I just thought, since I personally know a lot of people who aren't really "cooks" at home, and they read this blog, that maybe they might want to learn how to make spanish rice.  Or, at least, my version of it.  So are we cool?  Its nothing personal, okay?

I love you.

Start by heating up some oil in the bottom of a large skillet.
I've already entered dangerous ground, here.  Some people are strict about the kind of oil they use.  Personally, I go back and forth between olive oil and vegetable oil.  Just depends on how I feel that day.  You can use whatever your grandma tells you to use.

Then add some dry rice to the skillet and "brown" it.  I'm a little confused about the use of this term because rice doesn't really brown unless you burn it.  And you don't want to burn your rice. 

Just toast it until it starts to turn white.  At this point, I like to add a few cloves of pressed garlic.

 I used to just crush them, but leave them mostly whole.  Since then, I've decided that I want the garlic flavor to be stronger, so now I press it.  I stir it in with the rice while its "browning" and let the garlic flavor infuse the rice and the oil its cooking in.  It smells divine.

Next, add some chicken broth to the skillet
and some water.
A little tomato sauce (sometimes I use tomato paste for a deeper flavor),
and a little salt.

Give this a good stir to evenly distribute all the tomato and salt.

This next step is optional, depending on how you were raised. 
I happen to like the flavor of cilantro, but many people don't.  Sometimes I add it to my rice, sometimes I don't.  But if you're going to add cilantro to your rice there is only one way to do it.  You must add 3-4 whole, unchopped sprigs of cilantro leaves to the top your cooking rice and, this is important, DO NOT STIR!  Once the cilantro touches the cooking liquid, you must not disturb the skillet until the rice is fully cooked!  This is the law.  Breaking this law will result in your drawn and quartered body.  Okay, maybe that's taking it a little too far, but you get the idea.

Put the lid on the rice leaving a little crack for the steam to escape.

Allow the rice to come to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low simmer.  Allow the rice to simmer for about 20-25 minutes until all the liquid had been absorbed.

Then you have to "check the rice."  Use a spoon to push a little portion of the rice to the side so you can see the bottom of the pan.  If the bottom is dry and none of the rice sticks to the bottom, its perfectly done.  If you see a little liquid then let it simmer a few more minutes.  If your rice is stuck to the skillet, its overdone and on its way to burning.  Remove it from the heat immediately.  Chances are only the very bottom layer is burned and the rest is fine so don't freak out. 

When you remove the lid the cilantro will be laying, wilted and lovely, on the top of the cooked rice and it will smell wonderful.  You can pick it off, eat it, scoop around it, or feed it to your dog. The choice is yours.  This rice is a great addition to any mexican meal.  Did I mention my kids love it?  They could eat rice and beans everyday, I think. 

Spanish Rice Recipe
2 tbsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 c. uncooked rice
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 c. chicken stock
1 c. water
2-3 tbsp. tomato sauce or tomato paste
1 tsp. salt
3-4 sprigs fresh cilantro, optional

Heat oil in a large skillet and brown the rice and garlic together.  Add chicken stock, water, tomato sauce or paste, and salt.  Stir until evenly distributed.  Add cilantro to the water (optional) and cover with a lid, leaving it slightly open for the steam to escape. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and all the liquid is absorbed.


48 comments:

  1. A formidable share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing just a little
    evaluation on this. And he actually bought me breakfast as a result
    of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me
    reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for

    spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love
    reading

    extra on this topic. If possible, as you change into experience, would you thoughts
    updating your blog with more

    particulars? It is extremely useful for me. Large thumb up for
    this

    blog submit!
    Also visit my website shopleiter.eu

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great - I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site.
    I had no trouble

    navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly easy
    to do

    to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you
    know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is

    likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or
    something, website theme . a tones way for

    your client to communicate. Nice task..
    Feel free to surf my page ; www.alboxproperty.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact used to

    be a enjoyment account it. Glance complex to

    more brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in

    touch?
    Feel free to visit my web site - doloresspain.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for.
    You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God

    Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
    Also visit my web-site http://www.fishingspain.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information.
    I’m glad that you

    shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to
    date like this. Thanks for

    sharing.
    My webpage ; www.thespainforum.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awsome site! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some


    more. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
    Check out my web-site : Http://www.thespainforum.com/classifieds/index.Php?Cat=27

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!…
    Feel free to visit my site :: modellus.fct.unl.pt

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great items from you, man. I have have in mind your stuff

    previous to and you're just extremely wonderful. I really like what you've received right here,

    really like what you are saying and the best way by

    which you are saying it. You're making

    it enjoyable and you continue to care for to keep it sensible. I can't wait to learn far more from you.
    This is really a

    great website.
    My webpage Read the Full Piece of writing

    ReplyDelete
  9. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
    I'll go ahead

    and bookmark your website to come back down the road. All the best
    My website: cartagena spain hotels tripadvisor

    ReplyDelete
  10. whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your
    articles. Keep up the

    good work! You know, lots of people are searching around for this info, you could
    aid them greatly.
    Also visit my site - sendup

    ReplyDelete
  11. I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this web

    site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
    My webpage :: http://www.Diysolarheatingspain.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for another fantastic post. Where else could


    anybody get that type of information in such a perfect
    way of writing? I have a

    presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
    Here is my site ; http://www.replikultes.net/forum/profile.php?id=20822

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean

    and wonderful user genial style and design, let alone the

    content. You are an expert in this topic!
    Here is my homepage Causes of spain Crisis

    ReplyDelete
  14. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point. You

    obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting

    videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative
    to read?
    Here is my web site montserrat spain tickets

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any

    suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many

    thanks
    Here is my web page testee

    ReplyDelete
  16. naturally like your website however you need to

    check the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
    Many of them are rife with

    spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the

    truth then again I’ll surely come

    back again.
    My blog post Http://Dierotezora.Pixnet.Net/Blog/Post/28211816

    ReplyDelete
  17. Can I just say what a aid to search out someone who

    really knows what theyre speaking about on the internet.
    You

    undoubtedly know the best way to deliver a problem to

    mild and make it important. More people have to learn
    this

    and perceive this side of the story. I cant consider youre no more

    fashionable because you

    positively have the gift.
    my web site - www

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog
    and I am

    inspired! Extremely useful info particularly the

    remaining part :) I deal with such

    info a lot. I was seeking this certain info

    for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
    Also visit my weblog spanish alphabet x pronunciation

    ReplyDelete
  19. hey there and thank you for your information - I’ve certainly picked up

    something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this
    web

    site, since I experienced to reload the site many times previous

    to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web
    hosting is OK? Not that

    I'm complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your

    placement in google and could damage your high quality score if ads and

    marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for

    much more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update

    this again soon..
    Also see my web site: vavasour

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello are using Wordpress for your blog platform? I'm new to the

    blog world but I'm trying to get started and create my own.
    Do you require any html coding

    expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly
    appreciated!
    Also visit my weblog - http://www.eyecareandcontacts.com/index.php/member/14048/

    ReplyDelete
  21. There is perceptibly a bunch to know about this.
    I consider you made certain nice points in

    features also.
    My homepage ; blogspot.ru

    ReplyDelete
  22. As I website possessor I believe the content material here
    is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your hard
    work. You should keep it up forever!

    Best of luck.
    Feel free to surf my webpage :: burbank notary public

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hiya! Quick question that's totally off

    topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when

    browsing from my apple iphone. I'm trying to find a theme
    or plugin that

    might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any suggestions,
    please share.

    With thanks!
    my web site > http://amoc-gld.nl/story.php?title=209981236925345-wakemo-com-uk-satellite-tv-in-spain-sky-tv-

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow! Thank you! I constantly needed to write on my site something like that.
    Can I take a portion of your post to my blog?
    Also see my page - sns.cam111.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. The strategy experienced become an incredibly regarded
    way star by alone. So if you are on the lookout for Nike footwear, you would not
    have to seem for them way too really hard.

    Just envision, without the need of a comfortable footwear, how can we go somewhere and be somebody.

    Right here are several ideas to acquire started off.

    http://www.airmax90s2013.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello, you used to write great, but the last few posts have

    been kinda boring… I miss your super writings.
    Past several posts are just a little bit out of track!
    come on!
    Also visit my page - seocome.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. There are some fascinating deadlines on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart.
    There

    is some validity however I'll take hold opinion till I look into it

    further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as

    nicely
    Feel free to visit my web blog ... magarto.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great web site. A lot of useful

    info here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also


    sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks in your

    effort!
    Look into my web blog ; gratis-community.at

    ReplyDelete
  29. you are truly a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing.
    It sort of feels that you're doing any distinctive trick. Furthermore, The contents are

    masterwork. you've performed a fantastic
    process in this subject!
    Here is my blog post ; http://tgpijtmvk.vylygm.tsxdqbg.zeetwrcmj.forum.mythem.es/

    ReplyDelete
  30. What's Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other users like its helped me. Good job.

    Feel free to surf to my weblog; http://www.rolexoutletfreeshipping.com/

    ReplyDelete
  31. My brother suggested I might like this web site.
    He was totally right. This post truly made my day.

    You cann't imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Here is my web blog :: スーパーコピー時計

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks designed for sharing such a fastidious idea, piece of writing is nice, thats
    why i have read it completely

    Also visit my web-site ... http://www.rolexsale-shop.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. This post is worth everyone's attention. How can I find out more?

    My blog; ロレックスコピー

    ReplyDelete
  34. It is not my first time to visit this website, i am visiting
    this web site dailly and obtain fastidious information
    from here daily.

    My web-site ... http://ivanaj.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  35. advertising and ***********

    with Adwords. Anyway I’m including this RSS to my email and can glance out

    for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure

    that you replace this once more soon..

    my webpage: HTTP://Www.Myqsk.ir

    ReplyDelete
  36. This web site can be a stroll-

    through for all of the information you needed about this and didn’t know
    who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll positively discover
    it.1
    There's noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made

    certain good points in options also.

    Here is my page http://edinoborstva.bosa.org.ua/story.php?title=UCHASTNIKgertrudiswagner80-—-bg-BILLING-wiki

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm writing to

    make you be aware of what a perfect discovery my friend's daughter encountered checking your

    blog. She realized some pieces, which included how it is like

    to possess a great

    helping style to get other individuals clearly
    gain knowledge of selected specialized issues. You truly exceeded her desires.

    Many thanks for imparting the priceless, trustworthy, revealing and even
    fun thoughts on this topic to Ethel.

    Here is my webpage - http://www.bizbook.ir/

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi there colleagues, nice paragraph and good arguments commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.



    Also visit my web-site COACH 財布

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello, its good post concerning media print, we all understand media is a great
    source of information.

    my homepage - トリーバーチ

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi there to every body, it's my first pay a quick visit of this weblog; this weblog contains amazing and really fine stuff for readers.

    Review my web blog: outlawhour.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you're just extremely magnificent.
    I actually like what you've acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can't wait
    to read far more from you. This is really a terrific site.



    Feel free to visit my homepage ... michael kors templeton snakeskin clutch

    ReplyDelete
  42. This article is really a pleasant one it
    assists new internet viewers, who are wishing in favor of blogging.


    Here is my web blog :: armyocsng.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much
    about this, like you wrote the book in it or
    something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive
    the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great
    blog. An excellent read. I'll certainly be back.

    My web blog; ミュウミュウ

    ReplyDelete
  44. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization?
    I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm
    not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share.
    Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage: chloe 財布

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks very nice blog!

    Here is my web page - miumiuoutletstore2013.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hey this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to
    know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

    Also visit my page ミュウミュウ

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am truly glad to glance at this blog posts which carries
    plenty of useful information, thanks for providing such statistics.


    My webpage; ミュウミュウ バッグ

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really
    informative. I'm going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Also visit my web page ... blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete