Save Money ~ Tomato Basil Rice Recipe

I have a slight obsession with Mrs. Dash…. I love their salt free blends and use the original  blend to season MANY of my recipes.  A few months ago I picked up a bottle of the  Tomato Basil Garlic blend. I was not sure what to do with it but thought I would give it a try.  I decided to try and make some flavored rice, as a simple side dish.

 Part of having a money saving menu plan and living on less is to “think outside the box”.   You can buy a box of flavored rice for $1-$3 depending on what brand you buy.  Or you can make your own and save money!  Plus you can make it specific to your dietary needs and cut out all the sodium added to the pre packed rice mix.

Ingredients needed :

  •  1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic blend
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups of water
  • 2 tablespoons butter  (optional)

In a large sauce pan add 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 cup rice. Stir the rice and oil over medium heat till the rice starts to turn translucent.  Add water, seasoning, and tomato paste bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer.  Cover pot with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes,  take off heat fluff rice with a fork.  I like to add a few tablespoons of butter to the cooked price right before serving but this is optional.

Make sure you check out more of our Money Saving Recipes