Marias Spanish Rice Food

MARIA'S RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• In a 9x9 inch baking dish combine rice, soup and broth. Place butter slices on top of the mixture.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake 30 minutes more.

MARIA'S MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir rice and onion in the hot oil until browned, about 5 minutes; season with salt, cumin, and pepper. Pour water over the rice mixture. Stir tomato sauce and chicken bouillon into the water. Increase heat to medium-high, place a cover on the saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add serrano chile pepper and continue cooking at a boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes more.

MARIA'S GARLIC RICE WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the onion and saute until softened but not browned.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed the oil and is lightly golden. Add the wine and cook until the rice has absorbed the wine. Add the stock, cover, and turn the heat to low. Cook without peeking until the rice is done, about 15 minutes. Keep warm.
• While the rice is cooking, chop the garlic with the salt until it is almost a paste. The salt will bring the juices out of the garlic and help with the chopping as well as season the rice.
• When the rice is done, fluff it with a chopstick or fork. Stir in as much of the garlic paste as you have the nerve for. Stir in the spinach and replace the lid for 5 minutes; the spinach will steam with the heat from the rice. Serve as soon as possible.

FOOLPROOF MEXICAN RICE ("ARROZ MEXICANO")

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in half, and remove the seeds. Add the tomatoes and 2 cups of broth to a blender and puree. Strain into a bowl and reserve the liquid. Add enough extra broth to make 4 cups of liquid.
• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and cook until slightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato broth mixture, stir and bring to boil. Add the salt, bay leaf, and the serrano chile. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from heat. Scatter the peas over the top of the rice, cover, and let the rice stand 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

AUTHENTIC SPANISH RICE

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat bacon drippings on medium-high. Add rice; cook and stir until rice is golden brown. Add onion and garlic; stir and cook 3 additional minutes. Add all remaining ingredients. Cook, uncovered, on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring only once after 10 minutes. Check rice for doneness by tasting a few top grains. If rice is firm, add a little water; cover and cook 5 minutes more.

SPANISH CRISTIANOS Y MOROS ( BEANS AND RICE SIDEDISH)

Steps:

• Soak the dried beans, cook until tender and set aside.
• Meanwhile, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend well. (This can be done several hours in advance to allow the ingredients to marinate.).
• Cook the rice until done.
• Drain the warm beans and transfer 3 cups to a large bowl.
• Toss the black beans carefully with half of the white onion and half of the dressing.
• In another bowl, transfer the rice and toss with the remaining onion and dressing.
• On a large serving platter, arrange the beans on one side and the rice on the other side.
• Cover and set aside at room temperature for about 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Adjust seasonings if necessary and garnish with red pepper and parsley (or cilantro) if desired.