Texas-Style Spanish Rice

Name: Texas-Style Spanish Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped onion; 1/4 cup chopped green pepper; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 cup uncooked long grain rice; 1/2 cup tomatoes with green chilies; 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 cups water; 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

The original version of this recipe was given to me by a Mexican friend, but I've modified the spices to suit my family's tastes. It's become a favorite at our house—see if it doesn't do the same at yours! —Melissa Pride, Plano, Texas

Ingredients

1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup tomatoes with green chilies
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups water
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Directions

In a skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil for about 2 minutes. Add rice and stir until coated with oil. Add tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, salt, garlic powder and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Add cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 166 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Texas-Style Spanish Rice in Country February/March 1993

Reviews

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Average Rating:

hchambers

Jan 30, 2018

This a good recipe, I used the whole can of tomatoes and I added some diced jalapeno to give it a bit more heat. It is definitely a flavorful side dish.
I_Fortuna

Oct 12, 2017

Traditionally, Mexican rice is used for a side or to accompany other more spicy dishes. It is supposed to be plain. Spanish rice is also different from Mexican rice and Texas rice is whatever people seem to throw together even though I have never had it this way in Texas and I live here. This is more like Italian rice. Most traditional Mexican rice recipes do not use tomato or garlic powder so this equals Italian to me (yes, I know Mexico grows a lot of garlic and is using more widely than say 40 or 50 years ago). Turmeric, is not a traditional Mexican or Spanish or Texas spice.MY husband would have a fit if I used garlic in my Mexican rice or any rice for that matter or any of his mother's or my mother's traditional dishes.BTW, you don't have to coat your rice in oil, just dry roast in your pan you use to cook the rice. Roast it until it turns white before you add the liquid and it will come out fluffy. It comes out much like Uncle Ben's converted rice. You are converting the starch in the rice kernel so they don't stick together.
apschwartz

Aug 25, 2016

Yum!! I also used the whole can of tomatoes but undrained. I love the turmeric and cumin combination. Will definitely be making this one again!
PrplMonky5

Nov 17, 2015

Not sure if I did something wrong, but this wasn't as great as I expected it to be. I could taste the spices and the tomato was a good addition, but it didn't really have anything to it. I wound up putting a little extra salt on it (which I NEVER do) and it actually helped bring out the rest of the flavors. I cut the recipe in half, and used 1/2C diced tomatoes. It's possible I didn't drain the tomatoes well enough and the extra liquid caused the taste to dilute. I will try this again, adding in the corn like others suggested next time, and maybe just a tad more salt.
mbaulch

Jan 2, 2015

Very good and easy...I drained the tomatoes and used the whole can.
luigimon

May 11, 2014

We loved this!! I used the whole can of tomatoes, too, like one of the other reviewers. I don't normally care for Spanish rice, but this is tasty!!
Katowe1

May 5, 2014

I made this recipe yesterday and it was delish. My son enjoyed it. It was easy and didn't require a lot of ingredients.
rebelwithoutaclue

May 2, 2014

Wow this is good. Only change was using brown rice. Next time I may use corn as others suggested but no need to mess with this recipe much.
joycerm53

May 1, 2014

This is a great recipe. The spice level is perfect!. I usually use brown rice and add some frozen corn. This recipe is a keeper!
NJuniee

Jul 10, 2013

This is AWESOME !! Your modified twists are beyond great !! ABSOLUTELY a keeper ! Front page status in my cookbook ! To all readers deciding if they want to try this rice... don't hesitate and don't look any further ! Wonderful flavor and really the best we have ever had ! Thank you for this recipe !!