In case you love rice dishes that have a bit more flavor and spice, then you should definitely try the Mexican rice. Also known as Arroz Rojo, this unique dish blends the long-grain rice with tomatoes, veggies, and spices, giving it a unique appeal and taste.
What I particularly love about this meal is the versatility it offers. You can either enjoy it by itself or with some quesadillas, burritos, and other meals that revolve around the cuisine of this region. It is also a great way to include vegetables in an everyday meal without making the preparation complicated.
What Makes Mexican Rice Special?
Mexican rice is characterized by its tomato flavour and fluffy consistency. Different from simple steamed rice, it involves toasting the grains with some oil, onions, and garlic before cooking them with tomato sauce and vegetable broth. This technique enhances the flavour.
Carrots, green peas and bell pepper make the dish colourful, crunchy and sweet. However, fresh produce is preferred because the dish may look better. Other veggies such as broccoli, baby corn, cauliflower or sweet corn can be used as well.
Ingredients Needed
1 cup of long grain or basmati rice
2 tablespoons of olive oil
½ cup minced onion
½ teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup of tomato sauce
1.75–2 cups of vegetable broth or water
¼–⅓ cup of chopped carrots
¼–⅓ cup of chopped bell pepper
¼–⅓ cup of green peas
1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno, serrano pepper, or green chilli
1 teaspoon chopped celery
½ teaspoon paprika, cayenne, or red pepper
½ teaspoon of caraway
Salt according to taste
How to Prepare Mexican Rice at Home
Step 1: Wash the rice
Rinse the rice several times under running water to remove excess starch. Strain the rice, and keep it aside. This important task is the key to stopping the rice from becoming sticky while it cooks.
Step 2: Sauté the onion and the garlic in oil.
Take a wide, deep frying pan. Pour in some oil and put it on medium flame. The next step is to pour in the chopped onion and garlic.
Step 3: Toast the rice
Lower the flame now and add the washed rice. Stir for a few minutes until it becomes golden. Don’t keep it too long on the flame, or it may burn.
Step 4: Add spices and vegetables
Cook this for 2-3 more minutes.
Step 5: Add tomato juice
Finally, add in the tomato juice. You can blend tomatoes at home too in order to make tomato puree.
Step 6: Cook the rice
Add vegetable stock or water as desired and mix well. After the boiling point is reached, cover the pan and simmer until the rice absorbs all the water, about 20 to 22 minutes. If the rice is still not cooked upon reaching this time, it’s possibly a good idea to add more hot water.
Step 7: Fluffing and Serving the Dish
Now that the rice has been completed cooking, all that is left is to use a fork to fluff the rice before serving it. Allow it to rest for a brief moment before serving.
My Tips for Making It Really Special
If you like it spicy, increase the amount of jalapeño or green chilies to taste. If a milder result is desired, decrease the amount of chili. The flavor of the tomato and cumin will emerge (each available upon request).
I would also recommend using vegetable stock instead of plain water because it adds another layer of savoury flavour.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mexican rice hot with mushroom quesadillas, vegetarian burritos, fresh salads or grilled vegetables. A squeeze of lemon and some chopped coriander can make the dish even more appealing.
This colourful one-pot recipe is a lovely option when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen. With a few vegetables and everyday ingredients, you can turn simple rice into a flavourful meal worth adding to your regular menu.
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