Mexican-Spiced Red Rice
Mexican-Spiced Red Rice is a vibrant and flavorful side dish perfect for elevating any Mexican meal. This dish features the rich taste of fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onions blended into a luscious puree that infuses the rice with a distinct red hue. Unlike traditional recipes, this version focuses solely on the rice, allowing its flavors to shine through without the distraction of additional vegetables. The use of lard or olive oil gives the rice a beautiful texture, and the addition of chicken broth lends it a savory depth. This dish pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats, making it a versatile addition to any dinner table.
N/A
Servings
112
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
raw rice
1 cup (rinsed and optionally soaked)
lard or olive oil
2 tablespoons lard or 3 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
large tomatoes
1 large (blended into a puree)
white onion
1/2 (blended into a puree)
garlic cloves
2 (blended into a puree)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (blended into a puree)
celery
1 stalk (cut in half)
parsley sprig
1 sprig (for flavoring)
chicken broth
1 1/3 cups (homemade is best)
lime
1/2 large (juiced)
salt
to taste (optional) (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the raw rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch. This step ensures that your rice will be fluffy and not sticky.
2
If desired, soak the rinsed rice in very hot water for 15 minutes. This can help improve the texture, but it is optional.
3
After soaking, drain the rice again and spread it out on a towel or large baking sheet in a well-ventilated area to dry for about an hour.
4
In a blender, combine the tomato, white onion, garlic cloves, and black pepper. Blend until you achieve a smooth puree, adding a little chicken broth if necessary to help blend the ingredients.
5
In a medium pot over medium heat, heat the lard (or olive oil) until shimmering. Add the drained rice and sauté for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is well-coated and starts to crackle like sand.
6
Carefully pour in the prepared tomato puree and stir to coat the rice. Cook for a few more minutes until the puree thickens slightly and clings to the rice.
7
Add the celery, parsley sprig, chicken broth, and lime juice to the pot. If you prefer, add salt to taste, but keep in mind that seasoned broth may not require additional salt.
8
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with a tight lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all of the liquid has been absorbed.
9
Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving to enhance its texture.
10
Serve hot as a delightful side dish to your favorite Mexican entrees.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
20g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
0.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mexican-Spiced Red Rice?
Mexican-Spiced Red Rice is a vibrant side dish featuring rice infused with a puree of tomatoes, garlic, and onions for a distinct red hue.
What ingredients are used to give the rice its red color?
The color comes from a smooth puree made of fresh tomato, white onion, garlic cloves, and black pepper.
Why should I rinse the rice before cooking?
Rinsing the raw rice thoroughly under cold water removes excess starch, which ensures the rice remains fluffy and not sticky.
Is soaking the rice necessary for this recipe?
Soaking is optional; you can soak the rinsed rice in very hot water for 15 minutes to help improve the final texture.
How long should the rice dry after rinsing?
After rinsing or soaking, you should spread the rice on a towel or baking sheet and let it dry for about an hour.
What type of fat is best for sautéing the rice?
You can use either 2 tablespoons of lard for traditional flavor or 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
How do I know when the rice has been sautéed enough?
The rice is ready when it is well-coated in fat and starts to make a crackling sound like sand.
When should the tomato puree be added?
The puree is added after the rice has been sautéed; you then cook it for a few minutes until it thickens and clings to the rice.
What extra aromatics are added to the pot?
The recipe calls for one stalk of celery cut in half and one sprig of parsley for additional flavor depth.
What liquid is used to cook the rice?
The rice is simmered in 1 1/3 cups of chicken broth, with homemade broth being the preferred choice.
Does this recipe include lime juice?
Yes, the juice of 1/2 of a large lime is added to the pot along with the broth.
How long does the rice need to simmer?
The rice should be covered and simmered on low heat for 20 minutes.
Should I let the rice rest after the liquid is absorbed?
Yes, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for an additional 5 minutes before fluffing.
How many calories are in a serving of this rice?
Each serving contains approximately 112 calories.
Is Mexican-Spiced Red Rice gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients used in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, by using olive oil instead of lard and substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 3 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 20 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this rice provide?
This dish provides 2.5 grams of protein per serving.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 0.5 grams of fiber per serving.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 2 garlic cloves to be blended into the tomato puree.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 of a white onion.
Should I add salt to the rice?
Salt is optional and should be added to taste; remember that some broths are already seasoned.
How much rice does this recipe start with?
The recipe uses 1 cup of raw rice.
Can I use a blender for this recipe?
Yes, a blender is used to create the smooth puree of tomato, onion, garlic, and pepper.
How do I prepare the celery?
One stalk of celery should be cut in half before being added to the pot.
Is there any sugar in this dish?
There is a very small amount of sugar, approximately 0.5 grams per serving.
What are the best dishes to serve with this rice?
It pairs perfectly with Mexican entrees like tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats.
What is the texture of the finished rice?
When prepared correctly by rinsing and fluffing, the rice is tender and fluffy rather than sticky.
Is this an easy recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a classic comfort food side dish.