Johnny Jalapenos Mexican Rice Food

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in rice until toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Stir in corn, carrots, peas, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked through, about 13-16 minutes. Stir in tomatoes. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro, if desired.

JOHNNY JALAPENO'S MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• NOTE: This step is important as it removes the starch from the rice so it will not stick. --- Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until water runs clear- about 1-2 minutes, stirring with your (clean) fingers or shaking rice around in the strainer. Shake afterwards also to remove excess water/moisture. Set aside.
• In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk the broth and tomato paste (and hot sauce if using) to incorporate. Set aside.
• Heat grease/oil over medium high heat in a Dutch oven (or heavy pot). Add rice and stir until rice is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until onion is translucent. Stir the broth/paste mixture into the rice. Increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.
• Once it begins to boil, give a final stir and reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer 20 minutes.DO NOT REMOVE LID. Remove from heat and let sit for an additional 5 minutes STILL covered.
• Remove lid and stir, fluffing rice. NOTE: If you have little browned crispy rice at the bottom of the pan (not burnt), this is considered a delicacy in Mexico, so don't fight over it!

JALAPENO RICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350º.
• Mix the rice, sour cream, and jalapenos in a large bowl.
• In a 1 quart casserole dish, layer half of the rice mixture and then half of the cheese.
• Repeat, ending with a layer of cheese.
• Bake, covered, for 30 minutes; then remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes.

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Blend vegetables, salt and stock or water together into a mostly smooth purée (a few small pieces of onion and pepper are fine).
• In a large skillet with a tightfitting lid, heat oil. Add rice and toast until it absorbs most of the oil and begins to smell nutty.
• Add blended ingredients, stir gently with a wooden spoon to prevent breaking up the rice too much and bring to a light boil. Cover, reduce heat to the lowest setting possible and cook undisturbed for 17 minutes. Let sit for another 10 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.