Review: Spanish Rice from a Box

Sounds a little low-rent for such an elegant site, but even I can't be expected to craft a homemade Spanish rice dish every time the family gets the craving for some tacos. Can there be a workable alternative to a Chicago-Polish version of this "south of the border" favorite?

Sure.

Two rices enter - one rice leaves...

The perennial standby has been the La Preferida brand Spanish rice. It's easy to make and always comes-out right. There's more than enough for my family of four (the kids avoid rice like the plague), and it successfully accompanies tacos and refried beans.

Yesterday, the store was out of La Preferida Spanish Rice... Just below was the Old El Paso Spanish Rice - could it substitute? Would the family notice? Let's find out.

Success! In fact, I like the Old El Paso brand Spanish rice better than La Preferida. The grains of rice were "plumper" and the overall dish was "wetter" than the La Preferida version. My wife thought it was too watery, but I don't place much stock in her opinion. So, in the rusrus house, there's a new boxed Spanish rice champion: Old El Paso!

Note: before there was boxed Spanish rice there was canned Spanish rice. It's good (for a can), but the boxed rices are better...