Step 1

Check the video in the blog post for visual instructions.Add the rice to a bowl with cold or lukewarm water and let it soak for at least 10 minutes (I recommend 30 minutes if you have the time), then discard the water. Meanwhile, chop the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and prep the other ingredients.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot, add onion and the bell pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, and all spices and sauté for a further one minute.

Step 3

Add the rice, salsa & veggie broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Please note that you'll need more vegetable broth and salsa if using rice that requires a longer cooking time.

Step 4

Cover the skillet or pot and let simmer on the lowest heat setting for about 15-20 minutes. Do not uncover the lid, and do not stir while cooking! The cooking time depends on the rice variety (check the package instructions). Jasmine rice or Basmati rice cook much faster than e.g. brown rice.

Step 5

Turn off the heat, remove the lid and taste it. Adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt, black pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes, etc. to taste. Stir in beans & olives (optional) and garnish with fresh herbs (cilantro or parsley) to taste. Store leftovers uncovered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.