Best 2 Healthy Spanish Rice My Toddler Loves Recipes

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Feeding your toddler a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for their growth and development. Introducing them to various flavors and textures through delicious meals can help them develop a healthy palate and eating habits. Spanish rice is a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit your toddler's preferences and provide them with essential nutrients. This article aims to guide you through creating a "healthy Spanish rice" recipe that your toddler will love. We will explore different ingredients and cooking methods to ensure a flavorful and nutritious meal that caters to your toddler's unique taste and dietary needs. With careful preparation and a few simple steps, you can make a delicious and nutritious Spanish rice dish that will become a favorite in your toddler's mealtime routine.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HEALTHY SPANISH RICE MY TODDLER LOVES



Healthy Spanish Rice My Toddler Loves image

Inspired by the Sneaky Chef cookbook, I've found a way to add a bit more nutrition into my Spanish rice. My nearly 2 year old loves it - and asks for more! I usually make the rice itself in advance and then make the stovetop rice with cheese and "orange puree" whenever I want to serve it.

Provided by InstaSpanish

Categories     Brown Rice

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green pepper celery and onion
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies
1/2 medium sweet onion
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 cups whole grain rice
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup Spanish rice, from above recipe
1 tablespoon butter
3 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup orange puree
3 medium carrots
1 medium yams or 1 medium sweet potato
5 -6 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • This is sort of 3 recipes in 1, but it's worth the effort if you have small kids and are fighting to get them to eat something other than mac and cheese!
  • I put all of the Spanish Rice ingredients in my rice cooker and press the button - that's it. For anybody who hasn't discovered the absolute glory of rice cookers - you can do the same thing on a stovetop - and in either case you may need to add extra water - make sure to check after about 30 minutes. Keep in mind that whole grain rice can take nearly an hour to cook.
  • The Orange Puree seems like a pain but is not hard. I do it about once a week - cut up the carrots into 1 or 1/2 inch pieces, and slice up the yam - then stick that in a steamer for 20 minutes or so. If you don't have any steamer, you can boil them for a similar amount of time - maybe less - but I haven't tried boiling.
  • Make sure the carrots and yam are plenty softened, then put them in your food processor (better than a blender, although it can get the job done) - put at least 5 or 6 tablespoons of water - and puree until smooth. The Sneaky Chef lady says you only need 2 or 3 tablespoons - but I think it's better with a bit more.
  • This gets you maybe 2 cups of puree - which I freeze in 1/2 cup containers. I take 1 out every few days or so, and it's good for 2 to 3 days once you put it in the fridge. One day I forgot to thaw some out - and my son wanted his rice - so I chipped away at the frozen stuff and put it in the stovetop rice mix, and it worked out fine.
  • Then for the final product! Put around 1 cup of the Spanish Rice into a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter, and 2 or 3 tablespoons of the Orange Puree (tablespoons can be heaping or not depending on how much of that sweet/carrot flavor you want). Add the cheese - I put around 3 oz or so - and heat up on medium-low - until the butter, puree, and cheese are all nicely melted and mixed.
  • Now serve to a hungry kid! With the above recipe you'll have plenty of Spanish Rice and Orange Puree left over - freeze the extra puree and refrigerate the rice, which will be good for 4 or 5 days.

HEART HEALTHY SPANISH RICE



Heart Healthy Spanish Rice image

From the 1995 "Heart Healthy Cookbook" of delicious healthy recipes, Edina, MN. Makes 8, 5-ounce servings.

Provided by BeccaB3c

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 55m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 teaspoon nonstick cooking spray
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups diced tomatoes
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder (more or less to taste)
2 tablespoons chopped almonds (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute rice, pepper, onion, and mushrooms over medium-high heat until golden brown.
  • Add tomatoes, water, and salt.
  • Simmer covered for 45 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
  • Season to taste with cayenne and chili powder.
  • Sprinkle with almonds- Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 112.9, Fat 0.9, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 148.7, Carbohydrate 24.3, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 3.6, Protein 2.7

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your Spanish rice even more delicious. Look for ripe vegetables, tender chicken, and flavorful broth.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make Spanish rice. Feel free to add your own favorite ingredients or spices to create a dish that's uniquely yours.
  • Make it a one-pot meal: Spanish rice is a great one-pot meal. Simply cook all of the ingredients together in a single pot, and you'll have a delicious and easy meal that the whole family will love.
  • Serve it with your favorite toppings: Spanish rice is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings. Some popular options include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese.

Conclusion:

Spanish rice is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken or vegetables. With so many different ways to make it, there's sure to be a Spanish rice recipe that everyone in your family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Spanish rice a try. You won't be disappointed!

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