Paulas Mexican 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.

MEXICAN RICE PUDDING ("ARROZ CON LECHE")

Steps:

• Put the water, rice, and cinnamon stick in a medium-size heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and cook until the rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Strain out the liquid, discard the cinnamon and reserve the rice. Return the rice to the saucepan. Stir in the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. Continue cooking over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, about 20 minutes. Add the raisins, and stir well. Transfer the pudding to a serving bowl. Dust the top of the pudding with ground cinnamon and serve.

PAULA DEEN'S MEXICAN PIZZA

Steps:

• Position the oven rack at the lowest level. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven on the rack. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Heat the oil in a small saucepan and cook the green pepper and mushrooms over medium heat until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Cut the crusts into biscuit sized pieces using a biscuit cutter. Distribute the vegetables evenly over the crusts. Reserve 1 cup of the salsa and spoon the remaining salsa evenly over the pizzas. If you don't have a pizza stone, place the pizzas on a baking sheet. They won't be as crisp this way, but this is a lot less messy than placing them directly on the rack.
• Bake the pizzas for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, then sprinkle with the cheese. Bake 7 minutes more. Serve the pizza slices topped with the reserved salsa, olives, cooked ham, shredded lettuce and sour cream.
• Note: For variety, you can make a Greek style pizza, using olives, tapenade, spinach and feta cheese. An Italian style pizza uses tomato sauce and provolone cheese. A vegetarian style pizza simply omits the meat.

PAULA'S MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Sauté onion, butter,celery.
• Add all other ingredients (except cheese); bring to boil, reduce, cover and cook until liquid is absorbed about 20 minutes.
• Transfer to serving dish and add cheese.

ARROZ MEXICANA (MEXICAN RICE)

Steps:

• Saute onion in oil until soft. Add garlic and carrot, cook for 3 minutes.
• Stir in rice, cook until light golden, sprinkle with chili powder and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, simmer over low for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

PAULA'S BEST CHICKEN AND RICE ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Spray a 3 1/2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add rice, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until rice is lightly browned.
• Stir in 2 cups water, diced tomatoes with green chiles, onion, and seasoning packet from rice mix.
• Bring to a boil over med-high heat.
• Decrease heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Spoon rice mixture into a large bowl.
• Add cream cheese to rice mixture, stirring until cheese melts.
• Add chicken, one 8 oz. package shredded Colby-Jack cheese, sour cream cumin, and chili powder; stir to combine.
• Arrange 1/3 of torn tortillas over bottom of prepared baking dish.
• Top with 1/3 of chicken mixture.
• In a medium bowl, combine remaining package of Colby-Jack cheese and Monterey Jack cheese with peppers.
• Sprinkle 1/3 of cheese mixture over chicken mixture.
• Repeat layers twice with remaining tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese mixture.
• Pour enchilada sauce evenly over casserole.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.