Texican 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.

SPICY MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup white rice and cook until toasted, 3 minutes. Add 1 2/3 cups water, 1 chopped plum tomato, 2 teaspoons tomato paste and 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and cumin; bring to a boil. Add 1 whole jalapeno. Cover; simmer 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit 5 minutes. Discard the jalapeno. Top with cilantro.

MEXICAN RICE RESTAURANT STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350-F. - Bake 30 minutes total, stirring after 15 minutes.
• Place rice in strainer and rinse under running water until it runs clear. About 2-minutes. This is important to create a dry, non-sticky restaurant style rice.
• Drain rice, making sure to shake out as much water as possible.
• Heat canola oil to medium high in a dutch oven (3qt to 6qt) on the stove top. Drop a few rice grains in the oil. When they sizzle, add all remaining rice. Stir constantly and fry rice until it is light golden and translucent, about 6-8 minutes.
• Add onions and stir into rice. Cook while stirring about 2 more minutes. Add garlic and stir for another minute.
• Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, green chilies and diced tomatoes. Stir well and bring to a boil.
• When rice reaches a boil, place lid on dutch oven and place in 350-F preheated oven. Bake 15-minutes then open oven and stir well. Replace dutch oven lid and bake another 15 to 20-minutes until done.
• Remove from oven and stir in chopped cilantro. Cover and allow to rest about 5 minutes before serving to allow cilantro flavor to be absorbed by the rice.

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and serrano; sauté until onion is translucent, about 9 minutes. Mix in rice; stir 2 minutes. Mix in broth and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until rice is just tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Transfer rice to bowl; cool to barely lukewarm, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours. Add 1/2 cup Cilantro Dressing to rice; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

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.

TEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and sauté until just soft, about 8 minutes. Add rice and chili powder and stir until well blended, about 1 minute. Mix in tomato sauce and heat through. Mix in 1/4 cup cilantro and broth. Bring mixture to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer rice to bowl. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro and serve.

TEX-MEX RICE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute rice and onion in oil until rice is browned and onion is tender. Stir in the water, green pepper, chili powder and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in tomatoes; heat through.