Taqueria Rice Recipes

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.

ARROZ BLANCO (MEXICAN WHITE RICE)

Steps:

• In small saucepan or microwave oven, heat broth or water until steaming.
• Stir in about 3/4 teaspoon salt if using salted broth, 1 1/2 teaspoons if using unsalted broth or water.
• Cover and keep warm.
• In medium (3-quart) saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium heat.
• When hot, add raw rice and onion and stir regularly until grains have turned from translucent to milky-white, 4-5 minutes.
• Add garlic and stir for a few seconds, until fragrant. Do not let grains brown.
• Add the warm liquid and lime juice, stir thoroughly, scraping down any grains that are clinging to the side of the pan.
• Cover and cook over the lowest heat for 15 minutes--temperature should be low enough that only the slightest hint of steam escapes lid.
• Remove pan from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
• Uncover and test a grain of rice: if still a little hard, re-cover pan and set over low heat for about 5 min.; if rice has absorbed all liquid and is completely dry, sprinkle on 2 tablespoons water before returning to heat.
• When rice is done, sprinkle on parsley and gently fluff with fork to release steam and stop the cooking.

TACO RICE

Steps:

• In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the salsa, tomato sauce and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in rice. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is tender. Serve with tortilla chips and toppings of your choice.

EL TAQUERIA MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• In small skillet sauté peppers with olive oil; drain.
• In sauce pan add water and bring to boil. Add taco seasoning, rice and peppers; cover 5 minutes. Enjoy.

TAQUERIA RICE

Steps:

• 1. Puree onion, peppers, garlic and tomatoes in food processor.
• 2. Toast rice with olive oil on high in large stockpot, stirring to keep rice from burning.
• 3. Add puree and chicken broth to rice and stir inches.
• 4. Cover stockpot and simmer rice over low heat until all liquid is absorbed (approximately 15 minutes).
• 5. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.
• 6. Add salt to taste.