Mexican cuisine dishes are one of the most-known foods in the world. This cuisine stands out due to the use of corn tortillas, chilies, avocado, beef, cheeses, beans, and, don’t forget, rice.  

On the border that divides Mexico from the USA, there is a whole gastronomy that is a fusion of two styles and two ways of understanding Mexican food tradition: Tex-Mex cuisine. 

Its name refers to the border area between Mexico and the state of Texas, USA, and it’s mainly Mexican food that has suffered some changes to satisfy the American palate.

Spanish rice is a Tex-Mex dish. Its name could take our mind to an original Spanish food such as paella, but this name knows this food due to American customs. It is rice cooked in a broth made with tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and red pepper, and all these ingredients give it a characteristic color and unique flavor.

In this post, you will learn more about how this dish can give some benefits to your health, and we brought a Spanish Rice recipe to you that will make you taste the best flavors and sensations of this international border. 

SuccessRice ® is a rice-based products brand, and you will find a lot of rice recipes on its website. Visit the next link and check this alternative Spanish Rice recipe that we assure you will love: https://successrice.com/recipes/spanish-rice/

Is Spanish Rice healthy?

The main ingredients of this dish are rice, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and red pepper. Now, we will give a brief explanation of the benefits that each of these ingredients brings to the Spanish Rice diner. 

Tomatoes 

Tomatoes are a great source of fiber and many vitamins and minerals: vitamin C, choline, vitamin E, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Tomatoes are the main dietary source of lycopene, an antioxidant which, in addition to providing its characteristic red color, is related to many benefits, such as reducing the risk of some types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. 

Also, tomato consumption is associated with the reduction of the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and obesity.

Red bell peppers 

Peppers are a good source of antioxidant substances, such as vitamin C, E, and provitamin A, and other carotenoids, such as capsanthin, which are very beneficial to health by blocking the damaging effect of free radicals.

Red bell pepper neutralizes gastric acidity and is great for people with stomach and intestinal disorders. Its diuretic action facilitates the elimination of liquids in the body.

Also, its consumption is very beneficial in cases of hypertension, hyperuricemia and gout, kidney stones, fluid retention, and oliguria.

Garlic

This food causes vasodilation, increases the diameter of the blood vessels, and therefore, the blood flows more easily, decreasing the pressure.

Garlic has diallyl sulfide, a compound that is 100 times more effective than popular antibiotics in fighting Campylobacter bacteria, one of the most common causes of intestinal infections. 

Also, garlic consumption reduces the risk of premature birth by keeping microbial infections at bay during pregnancy.

Chili

Chili contains carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins A, B1, B2, and B6, sulfur, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and iodine.

It works as an antioxidant and protects from cardiovascular diseases and digestive ailments such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as well as boosting the immune system.

Spanish Rice recipe

Ingredients (1 serving)

  • 1 lb. of ground beef.
  • 1/2 cup of rice.
  • 1 cup of peas.
  • 1/4 chopped onion.
  • 1/2 seeded and chopped red bell pepper.ñ
  • 2 tomatoes.
  • Vegetable oil.
  • Salt to taste.

Preparation 

  1. In a saucepan, cook the rice and peas with 1 1/2 cups of water over medium heat until the rice is cooked and the liquid evaporates; remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté the onion in a little oil and when it is browned, add the ground beef, stir so that no lumps form, and cook until it changes color.
  3. Blend the tomatoes, add to the beef and sauteed onions, and cook until it boils.
  4. Add the rice, the bell pepper, and 1 cup of water. Stir, cook over low heat, and when it boils, remove and serve.