How to Cook Mexican Red Rice

Serves: 6-8

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients needed to make Mexican Red Rice:

• 2 cups long grained white rice, uncooked
• 1 can(14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium white onion, peeled and quartered
• 3 jalapeno chiles, ribs removed, seeded and minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 2 limes, sliced into wedges for garnishing

Cooking instructions for Mexican Red Rice:

• Dump the onions and tomatoes into the food processor and pulse them briefly for about 15 seconds until they blend into a smooth puree, scraping down any bits in the sides of the bowl of required.
• Pour the mixture into a measuring cup and measure upto 2 cups.
• Tip the cups of rice into a large fine mesh sieve and wash it under running cold water for about1 minute, until water runs clear.
• Shake it rigorously in the strainer to do away with any excess water.
• Drizzle oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, equipped with a tight-fitting lid.
• Heat it over moderately high heat and dump the rice into it.
• Sauté the rice for about 6 minutes, while stirring frequently, until it turns translucent and slightly golden on color.
• Lower the heat to medium and throw in half of the minced jalapenos and the garlic.
• Stir them all together to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture and continue to stir fry for half a minute, while stirring constantly until the mixture turns fragrant.
• Pour the prepared onion-tomato puree into this sautéed mixture, along with a splash of chicken broth as well as tomato paste and stir them all together until well combined.
• Season with a dash of sea salt and increase the heat to moderate-high to bring the mixture to a boil.
• Fasten the lid and reduce the mixture back to a gentle simmer.
• Continue to cook likewise for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through.
• Turn off the heat and remove the lid to stir the rice with a fork.
• Place the lid back on and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
• Add rest of the jalapenos and cilantro to it and give it a nice stir to mix well.
• Spoon it into serving plates and garnish with lime wedges by its side.
• Serve alongside your favourite Mexican side dish.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Last Updated on February 1, 2013 by