Ultimate Rice Cooker Spanish Rice
Elevate your meal with this Ultimate Rice Cooker Spanish Rice – a delicious, no-fuss side dish that pairs perfectly with any Mexican feast. Packed with flavorful ingredients like tomato sauce, Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, and a medley of spices, this rice is not just a side but a star on your dinner table! The best part? It’s all made in a rice cooker, ensuring perfect, fluffy rice every time, and you can easily adjust ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
long grain rice
2 cups (uncooked)
water
1 cup (for cooking)
tomato sauce
8 ounces (canned)
Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
14 ounces (with juice, canned)
salsa
1/4 cup (blended or store-bought)
cumin
3/4 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
2 teaspoons (ground)
garlic salt
3/4 teaspoon (to taste)
dried onion
1 1/2 teaspoons (can substitute with fresh if desired)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (optional, adjust to taste)
water
1/2 cup (for adjusting consistency)
green pepper
1 small (diced, optional)
diced green chilies
4 ounces (canned, optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by spraying the inside of your rice cooker with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
In the cooker, combine the uncooked long grain rice, 1 cup of water, and all other ingredients: tomato sauce, Mexican-style stewed tomatoes (with juice), salsa, cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, dried onion, salt (if using), additional 1/2 cup water, diced green pepper (if desired), and diced green chilies (if desired).
3
Stir the mixture gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4
Close the rice cooker lid and set it to the 'cook' cycle. Allow it to cook until the cycle is nearly complete.
5
Check the rice for doneness and texture. If it appears too dry or the rice isn’t fully cooked, gradually add the additional 1/2 cup of water, a little at a time, and close the lid to let it continue cooking until the rice is fluffy and all liquid is absorbed.
6
Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve warm as a delightful accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dishes!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Rice Cooker Spanish Rice?
It is a no-fuss side dish made with long grain rice, tomato sauce, Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, and spices, all prepared conveniently in a rice cooker.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What type of rice is best for this Spanish rice recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for long grain rice to achieve the best texture.
Is this Spanish rice recipe vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the cooker?
You should begin by spraying the inside of your rice cooker with a light coating of cooking spray.
Do I need to drain the Mexican-style stewed tomatoes?
No, you should use the tomatoes along with their juice for maximum flavor.
Can I use fresh onions instead of dried ones?
Yes, you can substitute the dried onion with fresh onion if desired.
What should I do if the rice is still dry after the cook cycle?
Gradually add an additional 1/2 cup of water, a little at a time, and let it continue cooking until fluffy.
Are the green peppers and chilies mandatory?
No, both the diced green pepper and the diced green chilies are optional ingredients.
What spices are used to flavor this rice?
The flavor comes from a blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, and dried onion.
Can I use store-bought salsa?
Yes, you can use either blended homemade salsa or your favorite store-bought variety.
What is the primary benefit of using a rice cooker for this dish?
The rice cooker ensures perfect, fluffy rice every time with minimal effort and no-fuss cleanup.
How should I finish the rice once it is cooked?
Once the rice is done and all liquid is absorbed, fluff it gently with a fork before serving.
What dishes pair well with Spanish rice?
It pairs perfectly with any Mexican feast, such as tacos, enchiladas, or burritos.
How much tomato sauce is required?
The recipe calls for one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe includes optional salt and suggests adjusting garlic salt to taste.
Is the rice washed before cooking?
The recipe specifies using 2 cups of uncooked long grain rice; it does not explicitly require rinsing, though you may do so if preferred.
What is the category of this recipe?
It is categorized under Long Grain Rice dishes.
How much chili powder should I add?
You should add 2 teaspoons of ground chili powder.
Is this a quick dinner option?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick dinner' because the rice cooker handles most of the work.
Can I use a different type of rice?
While long grain is recommended for the intended texture, you can experiment with others, though cook times may vary.
How much water is needed initially?
You start by combining the ingredients with 1 cup of water in the cooker.
What is the role of cumin in this recipe?
Cumin provides a warm, earthy flavor characteristic of traditional Spanish and Mexican rice.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, you can increase the amount of chili powder or add more diced green chilies to increase the heat.
Does the recipe use fresh garlic?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of garlic salt rather than fresh garlic cloves.
What is the texture of the final dish?
The final dish should be fluffy and moist, with all the liquid absorbed into the rice.
Is the salsa measured as liquid?
Yes, 1/4 cup of salsa is added to the mixture along with the water and tomato sauce.
How much cumin is required?
The recipe requires 3/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
The recipe calls for Mexican-style stewed tomatoes for specific flavoring, but fresh tomatoes could be used if seasoned appropriately.