Heart-Healthy Arroz Blanco
Delight your taste buds with this Heart-Healthy Arroz Blanco, a nutritious twist on the classic white rice dish that’s packed with flavor yet easy on the waistline. Made with long-grain white rice, fragrant garlic sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil, and enhanced with reduced-sodium vegetable broth for a savory depth, this recipe retains its lightness thanks to a hint of lemon zest and chopped fresh parsley. Perfectly steamed to fluffy perfection with the subtle aroma of bay leaf, this dish is prepared in just 25 minutes and serves as a versatile side or a wholesome base for countless meals. Its low-sodium profile and heart-friendly ingredients make it ideal for a health-conscious kitchen, ensuring both flavor and wellness in every bite. Keywords: heart-healthy recipes, arroz blanco, Spanish rice, easy rice side dishes, low-sodium recipes, healthy white rice.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 unit bay leaf
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
In a medium saucepan, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Stir in the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.
Add the water, reduced-sodium vegetable broth, bay leaf, and salt to the pan and stir to combine.
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid.
Simmer on low heat for about 15-18 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to fully steam.
Fluff the rice with a fork, then gently stir in the fresh parsley and lemon zest.
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve warm as a side dish or as a base for a variety of meals.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
315 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.2 g | 7% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 612 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.9 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 6.1 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 85 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 176 mg | 4% | |
*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.
