Authentic Mexican Old School Rice Food

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN OLD SCHOOL RICE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium-large saucepan over medium high heat, toast rice in oil, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or just until starting to turn brown.
• 2. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and cumin. Stir and then add tomatoes, tomato paste and broth. (In the photo I omitted the paste and used a whole can of Ro-tel tomatoes with liquid instead-it's really, really good!). Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• 3. Cook, stirring 3-4 minutes. Cover and remove from heat. Do NOT open the LID! This is crucial! If it's removed, it will ruin the entire thing. In 20 minutes it's ready to eat - just fluff with a fork and eat. The best ever!

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Boil tomatoes in water until skin bursts.
• In blender, puree tomatoes, and half of the garlic and onion.
• Brown rice in oil.
• Add the rest of the garlic and onion to rice.
• Pour tomato sauce over rice.
• Do not stir mixture.
• Simmer for 5 minute.
• Add broth and cilantro.
• Let simmer for 30 minutes (until rice is soft) without stirring.

EASY AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season oil with onion powder and garlic powder. Cook and stir rice in seasoned oil until rice is golden, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Pour water and tomato sauce over the rice; stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350.
• Process tomato and onion in processor or blender until pureed and thoroughly smooth. Transfer mixture to measuring cup and reserve exactly 2 cups. Discard excess.
• Remove ribs and seeds from 2 jalapenos and discard. Mince flesh and set aside. Mince remaining jalapeno. Set aside.
• Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until water runs clear- about 1 1/2 minutes.Shake rice vigorously to remove excess water.This step removes the starch from the rice so it will not stick. IF YOU OMIT THIS STEP YOUR RICE WILL NOT BE DRY AND FLUFFY.
• Heat oil in heavy bottomed ovensafe 12 inch straight sided sautee pan or Dutch oven with tight fitting lid over low-medium heat about 2 minutes. (The recipe is very specific about this but I used a 10 inch dutch oven and it worked out fine.) Drop a few rice grains in and if they sizzle then it is ready. Add rice and fry stirring until rice is light golden and translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Be careful that the oil doesn't get too hot too fast or the oil will splatter.
• Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and 2 minced jalapenos and cook , stirring constantly until fragrant, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Stir in broth, pureed mixture,tomato paste, and salt. Increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.
• Cover pan and transfer pan to oven to bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, 30-35 minutes.Stir well after 15 minutes.
• Stir in cilantro, minced jalapeno to taste, and pass lime wedges separately.
• Edited to add 6-15-05: If you can't get good fresh tomatoes you are better off using canned tomatoes. Don't use those awful hard and underipe tomatoes that are at most supermarket chains. Just be sure that the processed tomatoes and the one onion equals 2 cups. One the other hand- if you find that after processing your tomatoes and onions that you have less than 2 cups- simply add enough bottled salsa to make up the difference.
• Edited 8-21-06: Do not skip any of the steps. It may seem stupid- but rinsing the rice to remove the starch is very important if you want fluffy rice. It will only take two minutes of your time but it makes the difference.
• Edited 8-15-08: Leftovers are just as delicious the next day so this is a perfect dish to make ahead time for potlucks. This rice also freezes well. For Freezing Ahead: Cool, portion and freeze in a ziploc bag. To reheat from frozen: Place in a pyrex dish and warm in the microwave, stirring every 2-3 minutes until heated through.
• You'll love this rice! Money back guarantee.