Mexican Rice

Posted byNoriePosted inLegumes, Pancits, Pastas and Rice, Recipe, Side dishesTags:,

Ingredients:

  • 1-cup raw long grain rice (not Jasmine)
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 2 large Roma tomatoes chopped or 1 small can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 TBSP. Butter
  • 1 can chicken broth fill to 2 cups or 2 cups water
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 packet Sazon goya con azafran (optional)
  • Jalapeno peppers diced or 1 small can of diced green chiles (optional)

Rinse the rice by changing water until the water runs clear (about three times) then drain. This is important to remove the surface starch on the rice to make the rice separate and fluffy when done and not clumpy.

Choose a deep cast iron skillet or a deep frying pan with lid. Heat the pan until hot, about 3 minutes, then add the oil. Wait a few seconds to heat the oil then drop in the rinsed rice. Stir fry the raw rice until light brown by frequently stirring to brown evenly.

Add garlic and onions and stir continuously to prevent garlic from burning. Add the butter when the onions are transparent and stir until melted. Add the tomatoes or tomato sauce, add the chicken broth, salt and peppers. Add the Sazon Goya con Azafran if using. Let boil then cover and set to lowest setting. Cook until all liquid is absorbed and the rice is done. If it got too dry before the rice is done you can add a little water, cover and continue cooking it. It can be stirred once or twice towards the end of cooking the rice, when it looks dry to prevent from burning and sticking to the pan and to fluff the rice. Cooks in about 20 minutes.

The Sazon Goya seasoning will add flavor to the rice and will also give it color.

If you have a rice cooker, transfer to the rice cooker after adding the liquid and set to cook. Voila! Rice is done with no fuss in about 15 minutes and no need to check if it got too dry or burned. Stir when done to fluff up the rice.

Note:

You can use Jasmine rice if you want but you have to decrease the liquid to 1 1/2 cups or just one can broth with no water.