homemade version of boxed spanish rice

[blumooned]

I love this rice - see link & scroll down for ingredients list - but want to make it myself & make it better/healthier.

I realize it uses par-boiled rice & have no problem making the homemade version with regular (brown) rice & cooking it longer.

I figured I could just add spices similar to theirs, but am having trouble when it comes to tomato powder & dried bell peppers. Could I just use regular bell peppers? What about tomato powder? I looked in the bulk herbs section at my co-op, but no luck.

Anyone have any advice or a recipe? This is one of the only boxed foods I use & would like to just do it myself!

[blumooned]

I just googled tomato powder & see that it does exist for the home cook. I'll just have to see if another store here carries it or maybe order online.

I'm still looking for input, though!!

[JessicaS]

I saute jalapenos, a bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and onion. Then I add the rice and saute it a bit more until the rice is opaque. I add the water and cook until the rice is done. I add chopped up tomatoes at the end.

I have never used tomato powder but you might be able to find some at just tomatoes' website but their website is down atm for maintence, it is supposed to come back up on monday. I might pick some up too and give it a try.

http://www.justtomatoes.com/

[tanyalynn]

I'd probably add some tomato paste to the sauteed veggies at the beginning instead of seeking out tomato powder.

[LaughingHyena]

I'd use puree. This is what we usually do but without the chicken it sounds like what you want.

I start by browning some chicken thighs, then remove them from the pan. Ad finely chopped onion, peppers and any other veg you fancy along with a bit of chorizo. Fry until soft, then add rice and stock and a bit of tomato puree. Place the chicken back on top of the rice and leave it all cooking gently.

[velochic]

I have tomato powder in my pantry as a backup. I don't use it if I have regular tomato products. It just reconstitutes to tomato sauce (or more like paste if you add less water). That, along with the dried green pepper are just two dehydrated items that you are rehydrating when you make the rice. No need to use the dried versions, just use fresh and reduce the water accordingly.

[texaspeach]

Originally Posted by blumooned

I just googled tomato powder & see that it does exist for the home cook. I'll just have to see if another store here carries it or maybe order online.

I'm still looking for input, though!!

use tomato sauce or a tomato boullion cube

I just use a can of tomato sauce in with the water (and onion, garlic, etc)

[blumooned]

Thanks everyone! I haven't had a chance to try all your recommendations yet, but will soon. I think I can make it work without getting the tomato pwdr.

[muslimmama97]

i actually just made this dish today. sautee some chicken (optional), chopped onions, green peppers in some veg. oil. then add raw long grain (i used basmati )rice and stir so it gets mixed with the oil. then add just enough water with bouillon cubes or add chicken stock and tumeric to cover the rice. throw some chopped fresh tomatoes in and bring to a boil. After it boils, cover the pot and put the fire on low. then right before all the water has been soaked up, add some canned kidney beans. turn off when all the water/stock is gone. It was delicious. All four of my kids loved it and so did my husband. what was really great was that it was all ingredients i had on hand. Enjoy!

[mamandedeux]

I make my spanish rice by adding homemade salsa to rice. Simple as that, and yummy too!

[zebaby]