Hello, dear friends of Paulina Cocina! If there's one popular, versatile, and universally recognized ingredient, it's beloved rice. Do you know anyone who doesn't like rice? We don't, and that's why today we decided to share a way to make it that you'll love for its simplicity and variety: brothy rice .
This is a very easy preparation method that will allow you to get creative. In addition to recipes, we'll give you tips and advice for preparing the perfect brothy rice. But let's start from the beginning...
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About brothy rice
We've already talked about the classic, creamy risotto, complete with an explanatory video. The main difference between risotto and brothy rice is the variety of rice used and the final texture of the dish. While risotto is creamier, brothy rice is thinner and may contain additional ingredients to add flavor.
What is brothy rice?
Arroz caldoso (rice broth) is a typical Spanish dish consisting of rice cooked in a thick, rich broth . It is prepared with different types of rice, such as bomba rice and round rice. It can include ingredients such as seafood, rabbit, chicken, vegetables, and others.
In general, it's best to choose rice varieties that have a firm, creamy texture and good liquid absorption capacity. Any short-grain or round-grain rice will be a good choice for soups and stews, but the most recommended are:
- Arborio rice
- Carnaroli Rice
- Bomba Rice
- Brown Rice
How to calculate the amount of water for rice soup
To calculate the amount of water you need for rice broth , it's important to consider the variety of rice you're using and the amount of liquid it absorbs during cooking. A 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of liquid to rice is generally recommended.
Below is an example of how to calculate the amount of water needed for rice broth using a 3:1 ratio:
- 1 cup of rice
- 3 cups of broth
7 tips for preparing the perfect brothy rice
- Choosing the right rice : For brothy rice, I recommend using round rice or bomba rice, as these types of rice absorb more liquid and cook better in broth.
- Sauté the ingredients well : Before adding the rice and broth, sauté the ingredients well in a large, deep pot. This will add flavor and aroma to your ingredients and the broth.
- Add the broth little by little : Add the broth little by little, so that the rice absorbs it well. This way, you'll achieve a creamy and smooth texture.
- Don't over-stir the rice : Don't stir the rice too often, as this can cause the rice to become sticky. Instead, gently and gently stir it occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Adjust the amount of liquid : If the rice seems too dry, add a little more broth. If it's too runny, let it cook a little longer so the rice absorbs the liquid.
- Give it time to rest : When the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes so that the rice absorbs the last liquids and settles.
- Add extra ingredients : If you want to add more flavor to your rice, you can add extra ingredients like chicken, seafood, vegetables, chorizo, etc. But make sure to cook them before adding them to the rice.
2 interesting options
Brothy rice with mussels
Rice with mussels is a dish in which rice is cooked in a liquid broth and mussels are added for flavor. It's prepared by sautéing onion, garlic, and pepper, then adding tomato. Rice, white wine, and fish broth are then added and simmered until the rice is tender. Separately, the mussels are cooked and added to the rice.
Rice with lobster
Lobster rice is a sophisticated dish that combines rice and lobster. It's prepared by sautéing onion, garlic, and pepper, then adding tomato and cooking it. Then, rice and fish stock are added and cooked until the rice is almost tender. Add chopped lobster and cook for a few more minutes.
Recipes with brothy rice
One of the most well-known recipes is rice soup with chicken. Delicious and comforting, it's a common winter favorite. This recipe is easy and delicious like no other.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into pieces
- 1 ripe tomato, chopped
- 1 cup of rice
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
- A handful of chopped fresh parsley (optional)
How to make brothy rice with chicken
- In a pot, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Cook until tender. Add the tomato and cook for a few minutes until softened.
- Add the rice and mix well with the sofrito. Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and broth has reached a soupy texture.
- Return the chicken to the pot and cook for a few more minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the brothy rice with chicken hot. Sprinkle with a little chopped fresh parsley.
