Today we present to you the preparation of an exquisite Mexican rice using a straightforward but appetizing recipe that will delight the palate of your beloved ones. It is a rice that can also be served with a delicious homemade side dish that you can prepare in 15 minutes. The appropriate dish for your taco nights!
Let’s get to work
To prepare this delicious and hearty dish you should have the following ingredients on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice.
- 2 cups water.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion salt or a small piece of onion finely chopped.
- 1/2 cup (or 1 small can) of tomato sauce.
- 2 spoons of tomato bouillon, granulated or in cubes.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin.
- 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro for garnishing.
- 1 tablespoon butter. You can also use canola or vegetable oil, so that rice gets toasted.
- Peas (frozen or fresh) and carrots, diced. They are optional.
With these quantities you obtain to 4 servings.
How to cook the Mexican rice recipe
First, rice must be washed and toasted. Then, put the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it until the water runs clear. That way the starch film on the surface of rice grains, which can cause the rice to clump together, can be removed. Sauté the rice in hot oil in a saucepan until golden brown.
As you can see, the key to this recipe is the sauteing of the rice in boiling oil until toasted and gets a nice orange tan. By doing so, the grains keep some of their texture after they are cooked.
For the cooking follow the nine easy directions below to prepare your rice:
- In a large saucepan put water over medium-high heat to bring to a boil.
- Add tomato sauce. It is used since it is easy and fast, but for a more authentic option you can add 1-2 fresh tomatoes.
- Add the onion, cumin and the garlic minced before adding to the rice.
- Add the rice and butter, and stir.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Let stand 5 minutes. It is important to give the rice time to rest after cooking, before serving. Also gently fluff it, do not “stir” it, to avoid rice from getting clumpy and mush rice.
- Stir with a fork before serving.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
There are different ways to cook rice Mexican style. One of the most popular is to season the rice when boiling with cooking liquids such as chicken broth and salsa.
Although you just simply cook the rice according to the instructions on the package.
There is a trick to obtain a great orange color and flavor. For that tomato bullion cubes are the ones to be used to get the rice nicely turned golden brown color and get a delicious flavor that you are looking for.
Tips of the recipe
Making this authentic tasting Mexican rice recipe is actually quite simple, the key is in what you season it with. Using flavor enhancers like garlic salt, onion and cumin will provide your dish with the best and unique taste. And your guests will be satisfied with this delicious rice! You can serve it with tacos or as a filling for burritos or other Mexican-style meals.
There are also recipes that use fresh cheese, but you can also use feta cheese if that is what you have in your kitchen. If you are passionate about avocado and like to season your dishes with this vegetable, you can garnish your rice with guacamole or sliced avocado.
What’s more, if you have some leftover, you can use it as a rice base for a rice and bean burrito bowl.
What to serve with Mexican rice
Mexican rice can be easily combined and served with different dishes of the Mexican gastronomy. Among them we can point out as the most usual:
- Chiles rellenos.
- Chile colorado.
- Cheese enchiladas.
- Shrimp tacos.
- Chicken fajitas.
- Steak fajitas.
- Baked tacos.
- Barbacoa tacos.
- Chile verde.
What about cooking this dish in the rice cooker?
Certainly, you can make Mexican rice in the rice cooker. For doing that you need to chop some onion and garlic and soften them in the microwave. Then add the softened onion and garlic to your rice cooker along with the rice, vegetable broth, tomato paste and salt. Stir the mixture until everything is combined. Then cook the rice until it is nice and fluffy, and the liquid has been absorbed.
Its preparation in a cooker makes this homemade Mexican rice a delicious, home-cooked side dish option for your taco nights that you can make in just a few minutes. It is the proper solution for a nutritive meal served alongside other types of Mexican-style dish, or as a filling for famous burritos.
Although this recipe makes for a dish that cooks up quickly, you do not lose any delicious flavor. This easy dish starts with a quick sauté of chopped green peppers and onions to give a nice flavor base to the rice. Adding salsa, corn and broth creates the perfect mix of savory, sweet and tangy flavors. In nearly no time, your rice dish is ready!
Store and reheat
The Mexican rice is a meal which can be stored in the fridge, and be ready to eat for up to 5 days. Simply make sure to place it in an airtight container. Then, you can reheat it, simply pop it in the microwave or quickly heating it in a saucepan on the stove top.
If you freeze it, it is better to store the rice in freezer-safe containers or bags and it can be stored for up to 3 months. When you decide to eat it, you can either let it thaw in the fridge overnight or immediately defrost it in the microwave. You only need to put it into a bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring it through halfway.
It has to be said that this recipe has been recognized among gastronomic connoisseurs as an authentic recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation.