Mexican Cinnamon Rice Food

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.

EASY MEXICAN HORCHATA- CINNAMON RICE DRINK

Steps:

• Place the rice milk, sugar, and ground cinnamon into a blender.
• If you use a vanilla bean, cut it half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the mix. Otherwise, if you use vanilla extract, add it to the milk.
• Blend until the sugar is dissolved.
• Pour into tall glasses filled with ice and garnish with cinnamon sticks for stirring.

MEXICAN TOMATO RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan and sizzle the onion for 5 mins until just starting to soften. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more, then stir in the chipotle paste (if using) and the tomato purée and cook for a minute.
• Add the tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes, then scatter the rice into the pan and stir, so it's coated in the tomato mix. Pour over the hot stock, season, give everything another stir and bring to the boil, then cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat down to the lowest possible setting.
• Gently simmer for 15-20 mins until all the stock has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through. Leave the rice to sit for a few mins off the heat, then stir through the coriander and serve.

MEXICAN FIESTA RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan with a lid, then add the onion, pepper, garlic and cumin and sizzle gently for 8-10 mins until the vegetables are soft and golden. Stir in the tomato purée and smoked paprika and cook for 1 min, then stir in the rice.
• Pour over the stock, then cover and bring to the boil. Stir quickly, then cover again and place on the lowest heat possible. Simmer for 10 mins. Turn off the heat and leave, covered, for a further 10 mins. If serving straightaway, stir through the coriander and spring onions; alternatively, leave the rice to cool, chill, then re-fry before serving and stir the coriander and spring onions through at the end.

CINNAMON RICE

Steps:

• Bring rice, water, milk, raisins, and margarine to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until liquid has absorbed and rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Mix together cinnamon and sugar, sprinkle over rice to serve.

GINA'S MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender and translucent. Add the rice, chicken broth and the sazon packet and stir until the rice is coated with the oil and toasted. Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook until the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with fork. Gently fold in cilantro and transfer to a serving bowl.

MEXICAN CINNAMON RICE

Steps:

• Rinse rice well under running water; drain.
• Cook the onion and garlic in the margarine until tender; stir in drained rice and brown lightly.
• Stir in remaining ingredients, reserving the cilantro.
• Heat to boiling, stirring once or twice; reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender and stock has been absorbed; approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
• Remove from heat; fluff rice lightly with fork; cover and allow to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in cilantro and serve.