A Festive Dish: Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice always reminds me of Christmas……

Shhh! I hear something. Wait! It just passed by. A calm breeze. It’s in front of me now. I can sense it. I’m hearing faint sounds. Let me close my eyes and concentrate……Ah! I hear it now …..It’s Parang, the box base, marac and cuatro is surely stirring something inside of me.

And wait, I’m hearing a little more now….Lots of chatter, laughs and merriment…people are clapping and singing along to the music…Plates are “knocking” as eager visitors scrape the last delicious morsel of pastelle on their plate….

In the wee distance I hear a boom echoing softly across the valley; the young boys are bursting bamboo again….The scent of pitch oil (kerosene) from the flambeau lingers in the air….Ahhhhh! a defining sound: the roosters are crowing as if in a call and answer pattern…It’s definitely morning time…….I feel overjoyed to experience this….

The Spirit of Trini Christmas has just visited me reminding me of how a good house parang at 2 o’clock in the morning feels….Ever experienced one? You are surely missing out, especially if you are awoken by the music…Absolutely heavenly!

I can’t stop smiling; the Christmas season is truly here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Spanish Rice For the Season of Christmas

To start things off here’s a Spanish Rice recipe I just learnt. Normally, when I think of Spanish Rice I would just think of a fried rice dish but lately my perceptions have been changed and solidified to this recipe.

As for taste…Well, you will just have to make it and find out for yourself. The fresh seasonings with the sweet peppers and the cheese ( Oh! the cheese ) makes it very rich and flavourful……I couldn’t wait to finish make this and taste it….As soon as I added the cheese and mixed it in evenly I was ready with a spoon to dip in.

But don’t do that …wait for it to cool first OUCH HOT!! lol!!

Here’s Spanish Rice trini style…Ayee Ayee. hahaha!!

Spanish Rice Recipe

SPANISH RICE

Ingredients:

1 cup rice
1 onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 pimento peppers, finely chopped
2 leaves chadon beni, finely chopped
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1 cup sweet pepper, finely chopped
2 large or 4 small tomatoes, diced
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup cheese, grated

Direction:

Boil rice and drain. Set aside.

Note: Boil in the rice in unsalted water.

Sauté onion, garlic, sweet pepper, pimento pepper, and celery until onion is tender and translucent.

Add tomato, salt and black pepper. Cook over low flame for 2 – 3 minutes.

Add rice and mix evenly.

Turn off stove, add cheese and mix lightly. Serve hot. I hope this Spanish Rice recipe makes you feel a little more Christmassy. I really enjoyed posting it. See you soon with more recipes. This Spanish Rice recipe certainly deserves a comment or a facebook like, don’t you think? 🙂