Paleo Spanish Rice

On the menu tonight is Mexican rice using quinoa and pulled pork with tomatillo sauce. You can find the recipe here.

In the crockpot this morning I placed a pork shoulder that I sprinkled with a little garlic, salt and pepper. 3 hours later it was finished! All I needed to do was shred it and mix it with the tomatillo sauce. 

Paleo Spanish Rice   
1 cup quinoa
1/2 onion diced
1 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cup water
1 Tb tomato paste
2 Tsp Cumin
Salt and Pepper
1 Tb Olive oil

Directions
In frying pan brown quinoa, remove from pan. Brown onions in the olive oil, add chicken stock, water, tomato paste, cumin and salt  and pepper. When mixed add in quinoa and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes.

What I learned

Why is it called Spanish Rice?

There are two thoughts regarding this. FYI, This dish isn't made in Spain!

1. Rice is not native to Mexico, it was brought over in the 1500's when Spanards began to import cattle, pigs, goats and chickens. They also brought back to Mexico from their travels to Asia, wheat and rice. Because the Spanish people originally introduced rice to Mexico, it has been dubbed "Spanish Rice." 

2. Another theory is that because Spanish is spoken in Mexico and this rice is made there, it is thus called Spanish rice. hmmm.

Personally, I think it should be called Mexican rice!

I see an interesting comparison to those who are called Christians. We are called Christians if we have an association with Jesus. This could mean that we have attended a church, know the Christian bible stories, been brought up in a Christian home, have Christian friends etc. The bible presents a different viewpoint.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

The fact is that unless we have a personal relationship with Jesus then we are NOT Christians. If we do Christian things but are not followers of Jesus we really are just religious or spiritual people.

If you want to find out more information about having a personal relationship with Jesus this link offers a many answers to your questions. 

You were created to know God in a personal way—to have a relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. How do you start a relationship with God?

1. Realize that you are a sinner.

   No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we are all sinners. The Bible says, "No one is good—not even one." We cannot become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ.

2. Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.

   The Bible tells us that "God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners." This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it.

3. Repent of your sin.

   The Bible tells us, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." The word repent means to change our direction in life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him.

4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life.

   Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church. It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . ." If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart.
   "Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen."