Elizabeth's Rice with a Kick

Elevate your weeknight meals with "Elizabeth's Rice with a Kick," a bold and flavorful twist on classic rice dishes. This quick and easy recipe combines perfectly fluffy long-grain white rice with a medley of sautéed onions, red bell pepper, and jalapeño for a lively burst of color and heat. Infused with aromatic spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder, this dish delivers a satisfying balance of smoky, spicy, and earthy flavors. Black beans add an optional boost of protein and texture, while fresh cilantro and a squeeze of zesty lime bring a refreshing finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile recipe works beautifully as a vibrant side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main. Perfect for those seeking a crowd-pleasing dish with a spicy kick!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 whole medium onion
• 1 whole red bell pepper
• 1 whole jalapeño pepper
• 3 whole garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup black beans (optional, drained and rinsed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1 whole lime

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Dice the onion and red bell pepper, mince the jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat), and finely chop the garlic.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño to the saucepan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour in the rinsed rice and stir to coat it with the spice mixture.

Step 7

Add the water and salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is fully absorbed.

Step 8

If using black beans, gently fold them into the rice during the last 2 minutes of cooking to warm them through.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

Step 10

Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.

Step 11

Serve the rice warm as a side dish or a main dish with your favorite toppings like sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1284.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	864.8

Total Fat 31.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2444.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 126.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.6g	0%
Total Sugars 11.6g
Protein 23.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 232.1mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 1312.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.8%

Protein: 10.8%

Carbs: 57.5%