Description

A flavorful and easy-to-make Tomato Rice recipe featuring long grain white rice cooked with garlic, onion, spices, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. This dish is a perfect, comforting side or a light main meal that combines aromatic spices with the rich taste of tomatoes for a vibrant and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

2 cloves garlic
1 yellow onion

Spices

1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Grains

1.5 cups long grain white rice

Liquids and Canned Goods

1 15oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 cups vegetable broth

Oils and Fats

2 Tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

Prepare Aromatics: Mince the garlic and finely dice the yellow onion. In a saucepot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until the onions become soft and translucent, releasing their aromas.
Toast Rice and Spices: Add 1.5 cups of long grain white rice, 1/2 tsp chili powder, and 1/4 tsp ground cumin to the pot with the onions and garlic. Stir continuously and cook for a couple of minutes to toast the rice and spices, enhancing their flavors.
Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the petite diced tomatoes with their juices, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and 2 cups of vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients and to loosen any spices stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Simmer the Rice: Cover the pot with a lid and increase the heat to high until the broth comes to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low or just above to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook the rice for 20 minutes without lifting the lid or stirring to ensure even cooking.
Rest the Rice: After 20 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and keep it covered. Allow the rice to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, which lets the steam finish cooking the rice and helps it absorb the flavors.
Finish and Serve: Remove the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork to evenly redistribute the tomatoes throughout. Serve the tomato rice hot as a flavorful side dish or a light main course.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during cooking and resting phases to ensure proper steam cooking.
Using long grain rice is important for fluffy texture; avoid short grain.
Adjust chili powder to taste for desired spiciness.
Vegetable broth adds flavor, but water can be used with slightly less flavor.
This recipe can be made vegan and vegetarian friendly as is.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Tomato rice, easy rice recipe, vegan rice dish, stovetop rice, spicy tomato rice, long grain rice recipe