Spanish rice is a reddish, slightly spicy and smoky side dish that is popular in South and Central America and the American Southwest. It is prepared by roasting rice in oil with garlic and onions, adding broth, and seasoning with tomatoes, chiles, coriander, and cumin. Variations include adding vegetables or keeping it simple and dry. Some people prize the crust that forms on the bottom of the pan. Spanish rice kits are available, but it is easy to make at home with different cooking techniques and ingredients.
Spanish rice is a style of rice that is prepared in South and Central America and the American Southwest. It is usually designed as a side dish to pair with other dishes, although it can also be used as a filling for burritos or a layer in single-serving dishes prepared with Latin American inspiration. The “Spanish” in the name might seem a little confusing, because this dish actually has nothing to do with Spain, and some people call it “Mexican rice” or just “arroz,” the Spanish word for “rice.” .
Preparation techniques for Spanish rice vary, but the end result is usually a reddish rice with a slightly spicy, slightly smoky flavor. The rice grains may be slightly sticky, causing the rice to stick, or the dish may be drier, allowing each grain to be scooped easily, depending on the region where the rice is produced or where the cook has learned to prepare it.
Preparing Spanish rice usually begins with rinsing the rice and roasting it in oil, along with the garlic and onions, until the rice begins to brown and becomes slightly translucent. Then, the rice is covered with chicken or vegetable broth and allowed to steam until cooked through. Some cooks add tomatoes, chiles, coriander, cumin, and other seasonings to rice to enhance its flavor and give it the reddish color many people associate with Spanish rice.
Depending on how Spanish rice is cooked, it can develop a crust on the bottom, where the rice is in contact with the hot bottom of the pan. In some regions, this crunchy, flavorful crust is highly prized, and people may scoop the rice out of the pan and then invert it to encourage the crust to fall apart in one piece. Other people go all the way when serving a scoop of rice, to include a small piece of caramelized crust.
There are many variations of Spanish rice. In the American Southwest, for example, people like to add peppers, carrots, corn, and other greens to their Spanish rice, while in Mexico, people like to keep it simple and a little dry, using just a few additional ingredients.
Many markets sell Spanish rice kits to which consumers can simply add water. However, it’s relatively easy to make this dish at home, and people may find they develop a particularly delicious version at home by playing with ingredients and cooking techniques. Heavy pans, for example, tend to develop a better crust, while thin pans are better for a drier version of Spanish rice.
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