Spanish Rice is traditionally a side dish in Mexican cuisine.
Its simple ingredient list, full flavour and versatility, though, makes it more widely appealing.

A search of Australia’s digitised newspapers on the Trove website shows that Spanish Rice was quite popular in Australia in the early 1900’s, especially the 30’s and 40’s.
And Nana Ling was on trend, recording this recipe in November 1942.
Preparing Spanish Rice
Keep in mind that this recipe uses only half a cup of rice and serves 2 people. Double (or triple) the quanitities if you’re cooking for more.

Spanish Rice: versatile side or quick and tasty lunch
It may be known as a side dish, however we enjoyed a bowl of Spanish Rice with a few tortilla chips as a quick and easy lunch.
Nana Ling’s Spanish Rice recipe
Keep scrolling for the tested and tweaked version.


Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 60 grams butter
- 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 2 small-medium tomatoes
- 1/2 large onion (or 1 small onion)
- 1 1/2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large heavy-based saucepan.
- Add rice and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until rice browns, stirring from time to time.
- Add chopped tomatoes and onion and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Add warmed stock and cover saucepan with lid.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with lemon and chives.