Simple Rice

One item usually found on our dinner plates is rice.  I have found that not all rice is created equal.  Our favorite is La Preferida Extra Long Grain.  Others have just not given the texture and taste that we want.   So, since there is always a specific way to prepare...

Simple Rice
Ingredients: rice, corn oil, water, garlic (crushed in jar or fresh) and salt.
Need: Non-sick saucepan with lid (my rice pan has a clear lid so I can see what is going on in there)

First, use a non-stick sauce pan, turn heat to med-high with a tablespoon of corn oil
Pour in needed amount of rice and saute just until you see rice almost turning slightly brown
Add needed amount of water (as noted on packaging i.e. one cup rice to two cups water.  I usually add hot tap water so it will not take as long to boil)
Add some garlic- about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon
Add salt- about 1/2 teaspoon
Heat on High until water begins to boil, at that point
Heat on Low with lid for apx. 20 minutes.

Now, if you want even more flavor, add two packets of Sazon Goya with cilantro and achiote seasoning when you are adding your garlic and salt.  I have seen this product at chain grocery stores.  The box contains many little packets of seasonings.  You will achieve the orange color found at Mexican restaurants and have great tasting rice.  The color comes from the achiote which is extracted from seeds of an evergreen and is commonly used in Latin and Caribbean cooking.

Sazon Goya from my pantry

Buen apetito!

Traditional Mexican rice is a bit more complicated than just rice, garlic, salt and Sazon Goya.  Basically, blend Roma tomatoes, onions, garlic in basically more than enough water that will be used for the rice.  Saute the rice as done in Simple Rice and instead of adding the water, use the blended tomato water strained though a chinois (like a colander but more like a screen).  Cook in some peas and carrots (fresh or frozen) to make it even more authentic.  Eat up and enjoy rice like people would in Mexico.

So, if you are like me and have little time to make dinner, the short cut to the whole blending tomatoes traditional rice recipe may come in handy. 

There is a recipe that uses the tomato blend to make a very tasty tomato and pasta soup.  I will definitely post that soon.