Rio Grande Rice Food

TEX-MEX RICE

Steps:

• In a heavy pot, cook garlic in oil over high heat until browned, stirring often.
• Discard garlic cloves.
• Add rice to infused oil and reduce heat to medium high.
• Stirring constantly, brown rice.
• Add broth, salsa, carrots and corn and reduce heat to low.
• Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
• Fluff rice before serving.

TEX-MEX RICE FROM THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Steps:

• Soak the rice - In a large bowl, pour hot water over rice and let stand 25 minutes.
• While the rice is soaking, cut up the vegetables, and grind the cumin.
• Drain into a sieve and rise well in cold water. Shake sieve and let drain a while until rice stops dripping.
• While the rice is draining, heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.
• Brown the Rice - Once oil is hot, stir in rice, making sure grains are well coated with oil. Saute rice for about 10 minutes until golden brown, stirring often. If any rice starts turning dark brown, stir constantly.
• Stir in all the ingredients except chicken broth (tomato sauce, tomato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper). Cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or until almost dry, stirring constantly.
• Stir in chicken broth and then do not stir again until cooking is complete. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Change heat to Low, cook covered, for 20 minutes.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY STYLE CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Cube meat (about 1"), removing all fat and gristle.
• Sear meat in oil.
• Add water and cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toast cumin seeds in a small sauté skillet on medium-high until they begin to smoke slightly.
• Grind the hot cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle.
• Add oregano, ground toasted cumin, black pepper, salt and garlic to the meat.
• Add vegetables (bell pepper, onion and tomato) and continue to cook about 30 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, chili powder and paprika.
• Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• While the meat is simmering, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small sauté pan and add flour over medium-low heat.
• Stir the flour and oil constantly until the flour turns a light golden brown (roux).
• Add the roux to the meat and continue to simmer for about another 30 minutes.
• Serve carne guisada with rice and beans and flour or corn tortillas.
• Note: can speed the cooking time by using a pressure cooker.

RIO GRANDE RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Heat broth to boiling in 2-quart saucepan. Stir in rice and pepper; remove from heat. Cover and let steam about 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff rice with fork. Stir in beans and 1/3 cup onions.
• Mix avocado and lime juice; gently fold into rice. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons onion.