Spanish Style Brown Rice

No regrets, right?

Well, sometimes it's hard not to have a few.  I've been thinking about that more lately as my junior year of college is reaching the half-way point.  It's amazing/scary/exciting/mind-boggling to think that I only have a year and a half left in college...and maybe in any school.  Ever.

One regret I have is not studying abroad this year.  When the time came to apply to go abroad, I simply wasn't ready.  I was just warming up to the idea of moving into an apartment and out of the dorms for Pete's sake.  Another country?  I don't think so!

I probably should have gone though.  I'll make it overseas at some point.  I owe it to myself to get there after all the years I've sat in class conjugating French verbs.

Until then, I can be transported by my taste buds.  So, this week they take me somewhere warm, somewhere next to the Mediterranean, somewhere where they speak Spanish.  Buen provecho :)

As we're on the subject of dreams, what's your dream destination?

Spanish Style Brown Rice

Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup long grain brown rice

1 and 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup diced tomatoes in juice

1/2 tsp to 1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 cup corn niblets

Directions:

Combine uncooked rice in a pot with water, diced tomatoes, and salt.  Bring to a boil.

Turn heat down low to a simmer and cover with a lid.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add remaining spices and stir.  Allow rice to continue simmering until all moisture has been absorbed (about 5 to 10 minutes more).  

Stir in corn niblets.  

Serve as is, or with a squeeze of lime, or with fresh cilantro.

*Note: for softer rice use more water.  The recipe listed above yields a somewhat firmer texture.  

**Also, use as much or as little of the spices above as you wish.  I tend to go heavy on the paprika because it's my favorite, but if you like heat, consider adding a little cayenne, or more chili powder.  The possibilities are endless!