Mexican Rice Pilaf Recipes

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and jalapeño and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat up to medium and add the tomato paste, garlic and rice; cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, chili powder and cumin; turn the heat up and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Add the peas, cilantro and lime juice and fluff the rice with a fork to mix. Let the rice sit for a few moments to "dry out" and lose that wet, just-steamed texture. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and lime if necessary.
• Note: Some rice brands will require a little less or a little more liquid; check the package for specific instructions.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: This rice can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (Putting it in a flat layer in sealable plastic bags works well as it will take up less space in the freezer.) No need to thaw before reheating; remove it from the freezer and reheat in the microwave with 1 to 2 Tbsp. of water.

MEXICAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth, rice, chili powder, jalapeno peppers, and cumin. Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Stir in bell pepper. Cover. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Stir tomato and shredded cheese into hot cooked rice.

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in rice until toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Stir in corn, carrots, peas, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked through, about 13-16 minutes. Stir in tomatoes. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro, if desired.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a heavy-based 3-qt. saucepan with a tight lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, poblano, and garlic, and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened and the spices are very fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and salt, and stir well to coat each grain with oil. Toast for a full 5 minutes, stirring regularly to keep the grains separated and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan (the rice may turn opaque before 5 minutes is up, but keep going). Reduce the heat to low if there are any signs of scorching.
• Add the chicken broth and tomatoes, stir once, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the pilaf sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, finely grate 1 Tbs. zest from the lime, and then cut the lime into wedges. Once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Using the fork, gently fold in the cilantro, jalapeño, and lime zest. Season to taste with salt. Serve with the lime wedges for spritzing over the rice.

MEXICAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes.
• Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until light brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add carrots, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, decrease heat to medium-low and add peas, salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder
• Cover and cook until liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove rice from heat and let sit 10 minutes. Fluff and serve.

MEXICAN RICE PILAF WITH PASILLA CHILE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir rice in the hot oil until toasted, 6 to 7 minutes. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in pasilla chile and cumin; toast for 2 minutes. Add water, chicken soup base, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Stir one last time, cover, and cook for 7 minutes on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook for 7 minutes more.
• Remove saucepan from heat and let rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

MEXICAN RICE | SPANISH RICE

Steps:

• First, rinse the long grained or basmati rice under cold running water for a couple of times. Set the rinsed rice aside, and prep, gather all of the remaining ingredients needed.
• Heat olive oil in a pan.
• Add the chopped onions, garlic and sauté them for a minute on medium heat.
• Lower the heat and add the rinsed rice.
• Mix well, and stir continuously as you sauté the rice in the oil on a low to medium-low heat. The outside of the rice should start to get slightly browned, but take care not to burn the grains. The rice grains should become a light brown and opaque.
• Add the carrots, bell peppers, green peas, and serrano or jalapeño or green chilies, celery, cayenne (or paprika or red chilli powder) and ground cumin.
• Add salt according to taste.
• Mix and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on a low to medium-low heat.
• Add tomato puree. Combine and Mix gently.
• Add the vegetable stock or water.
• Mix again and taste the broth. It should be a bit salty.
• Cover with lid and simmer on a low to medium-low heat until the rice grains are tender and fluffy for about 20 to 22 minutes. All of the stock should be absorbed.
• While the rice is cooking, keep checking a couple of times. If there are no liquids left in the pan and the rice grains are undercooked, add ¼ cup hot water/hot veg stock or more as needed. Gently mix without breaking the rice grains. Cover and continue to simmer.
• When the cooking is completely, fluff the cooked rice with a fork.
• Serve Mexican rice hot or warm with a side salad or with Mexican sides like a vegetarian or vegan burrito, quesadilla, empanada or chimichanga.
• You can also serve with a side of lemon wedges and sprinkling of cilantro if desired.

MEXICAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat.
• Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in broth, rice, chili powder, jalapeno peppers, and cumin.
• Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat, and simmer for 4 minutes.
• Stir in bell pepper.
• Cover.
• Simmer for 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Stir tomato and shredded cheese into hot cooked rice.

MEXICAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat.
• Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in broth, rice, chili powder, jalapeno peppers, and cumin.
• Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat, and simmer for 4 minutes.
• Stir in bell pepper.
• Cover.
• Simmer for 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Stir tomato and shredded cheese into hot cooked rice.