Roasted Tomato Spanish Rice

Roasted Tomato Spanish Rice

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought chicken stock or broth*
2 medium-size garden fresh tomatoes (red and yellow are pretty), cored and cut into thick wedges
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, medium chop
4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Large pinch saffron threads
1 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup short-grain rice
Minced parsley or fresh basil for garnish

Preparation:

If you practice Mise en Place (ingredients measured and ready to go), this beautiful and flavorful dish comes together quite fast.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a saucepan or microwave, warm the chicken stock; keep warm until ready to use.

Place tomato wedges in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little olive oil and toss gently to coat. Set aside.

In an oven-proof skillet or Cast-Iron Pan over medium-high heat, add the remaining olive oil. Add onion and salt, and pepper to taste; sauté until the onion begins to soften. Add garlic and sauté a few more minutes. Stir in tomato paste, saffron, and paprika; cook for 1 additional minute. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is shiny. Add wine and let simmer until almost all the liquids are absorbed. Once the liquids are absorbed, add the warm chicken stock, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.

Place the tomato wedges on top of the rice (along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl). Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this time.

After 15 minutes, check to see if the rice is dry and just tender. If not, return the pan to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes. If the rice looks dry but not quite cooked, add a small amount of chicken stock, water, or additional white wine. When rice is done, turn oven off and let sit in the oven for approximately an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven.

Before serving, sprinkle with either minced parsley or basil. If you desire, place the pan back on the stovetop over high heat for a couple of minutes to develop a bottom crust before serving.

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