Skip to main content

Arroz Chicano (Mexican Style Rice)

Rice is always a good side dish. My version of this Mexican classic is as good as it is easy. This is made with brown rice so you get you fiber in too. If you think you don't like brown rice, try this and you might change your mind. I like this version because it is a little more moist than the traditional rice.

1 tsp oil (grapeseed or olive is best)
2 cloves of garlic. minced
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 cup of brown rice
1 can 10.5 oz can vegetarian vegetable soup
2 cans of water

Heat oil in a 2 quart pot. add the pepper flakes and garlic to the hot oil and heat 30 seconds. Add the brown rice and stir occasionally.
When the rice starts to become fragrant (will smell like popcorn) add the soup and the water. Bring to a boil.
Cover and cook on lowest setting until the water is all absorbed (about 35 minutes). Allow to rest 5 - 10 minutes, covered, before serving.
Fluff with a fork (a spoon will crush the grains).

This can also be cooked in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees after the rice comes to a boil).

4 large servings - 4 points each
5 servings - 3 points each

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mindful Eating

Here is an exercise in mindful eating I found on NPR. It is a good exercise for you to try and it could help you slow down your eating which will translate to satisfaction sooner which means less calories consumed! If you're curious to know what mindful eating looks like in practice, here's one exercise, excerpted from a review written by Stephanie Vangsness of Brigham and Women's Hospital. She writes: "Do this exercise with a friend. You will need one small slice of an apple for each person. One person reads the instructions listed below while the other person completes the exercise. 1.Take one bite of an apple slice and then close your eyes. Do not begin chewing yet. 2.Try not to pay attention to the ideas running through your mind, just focus on the apple. Notice anything that comes to mind about taste, texture, temperature and sensation going on in your mouth. 3.Begin chewing now. Chew slowly, just noticing what it feels like. It's normal that your mind will w...

Buy the cheap stinky onions!

Oddly enough the hot stinky cheap onions have more cancer fighting vitamins than those really sweet ones! Here is a good way to cook them to make them sweet and delicious! In fact, when cooked they are always sweeter. The sweet varieties are best eaten raw because when cooked they are less sweet. Peel and core (with your apple corer) a large onion - don't poke the corer all the way through. Place the onion on a sheet of foil. Put a bullion cube in the core, top with a 1/2 teaspoon of a butter substitute, sprinkle with thyme and pepper. Pour a teaspoon of dry sherry over all and grill for 45 minutes or until completely soft. Open and enjoy - it will taste like sweet French Onion Soup! Make one for each person because you won't want to share!

Boiled Beans

STOP! Don't scroll on - Keep reading this recipe. I know it just sounds like it has to be no good, but this is actually and easy way to make a batch of beans that are really good - and of course, good for you. My friend and WW member Brother Joe (http://josephbasil.blogspot.com/ swears by this dish so I had to try it out. I reduced the point by cutting the fat by more than 65% but retained the original flavor. Make yourself a batch and eat them for lunch this week! Best of all, this is one cheap dish to make! 1 pound dried kidney, navy or other bean 1/3 cup chopped onion (one small) 1 Tablespoon butter 1 Tablespoon olive oil 3 whole cloves 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 6 oz dry red wine Parsley to garnish Place beans in a heavy saucepan (3 - 4 qt) and cover with water. Add the butter, oil, onion, cloves, salt, pepper, thyme, and crushed red pepper to beans. Simmer the beans, covered, for 1 ...