Are you looking for a simple recipe that requires just a few ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Add it to your menu for Taco Tuesday or anytime Mexican food is on the menu.

How to make Authentic Mexican Rice

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 cup Long-grain white rice
• 4-8 ounces Canned tomato sauce Use at least 4 or up to 8 ounces of tomato sauce
• 2 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Minced garlic about 2 cloves
• 2 teaspoons Caldo de Tomate tomato bouillon
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder

Directions

1. The first step is to brown 1 cup Long-grain white rice by cooking it in a deep skillet or a large saucepan with 2 tablespoons Olive oil or vegetable oil over a fairly high heat. When the rice starts to turn bright white and then golden, you’re ready for the next step.
2. Adding the rest of the ingredients – water, tomato sauce, tomato bouillon, garlic and chili powder. Pour in water and tomato sauce and stir to combine. Once it all comes to a boil, cover it up and turn down the heat. A clear lid is helpful here so you can see when the rice is done, but really 20 minutes is about all it takes. If after 20 minutes there’s still some liquid in the pan, just let it continue to cook until you can no longer see liquid bubbling to the top.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
4. Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
5. Fluff rice with a fork and serve.

Tips

• Resist the urge to lift the lid! Rice needs steam to cook and as it steams, the grains absorb the liquid which makes them plump and fluffy. Lifting the lid releases essential steam that is necessary to cooking rice perfectly.
• About the tomato sauce – This recipe calls for four to eight ounces of tomato sauce. The original calls for an 8-ounce can, when you add that much your rice may be a little too saucy. This can be a personal preference and often depends on the cook, but you can use half of the can (4 ounces) and still have delicious, tomato-y restaurant-style Mexican Rice.
• Add a chopped up Roma tomato before serving for more color and freshness.