Savory Mexican Style Aromatic Rice
This Savory Mexican Style Aromatic Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by chef Rick Bayless. Perfectly suited as a side for enchiladas, tamales, or chiles rellenos, this recipe offers a harmonious blend of ingredients that infuse the rice with a rich and aromatic essence. While it requires a bit more time than the typical 'Easy Mexican Rice,' the enticing flavors and delightful texture make it a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their Mexican cuisine. With each bite, you’ll experience the freshness of vegetables, the warmth of spices, and the comfort of home-cooked goodness.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Medium grain rice
1 1/2 cups (Rinsed and drained)
Fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes
2 fresh or 1 (15 ounce) can (Chopped or well-drained)
White onion
1/2 (Chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Chopped)
Vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Carrots
2 (Peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1/4 inch dice)
Chicken broth
1 3/4 cups (Low-sodium is preferable)
Jalapeños
2 (With slits cut into the sides)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (Minced)
Frozen peas
1 cup (Defrosted)
Instructions
1
Begin by roughly chopping the fresh tomatoes, white onion, and garlic cloves.
2
In a food processor or blender, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, and garlic and puree until smooth. Opt for either fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes, but not both.
3
In a large saucepan or skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the medium grain rice to the pan, stirring frequently until the rice becomes opaque (approximately 5-6 minutes). It’s fine if some grains begin to lightly brown.
4
Incorporate the diced carrots into the rice and sauté for an additional 2 minutes to soften.
5
Add the tomato, onion, and garlic puree to the rice mixture, cooking until the liquid reduces and the mixture appears drier.
6
Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the salt, jalapeños, and minced parsley. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to cook through.
8
After 15 minutes, uncover the pan and gently scatter the thawed peas across the top of the rice. Cover again and let the rice rest for an additional 5 minutes to allow the peas to warm through.
9
Finally, fluff the rice with a fork to incorporate the peas and serve immediately. Discard the jalapeños or use them as a decorative touch on the dish.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
22g
Carbs
3g
Protein
1g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Mexican Style Aromatic Rice?
This is a vibrant and flavorful rice dish inspired by chef Rick Bayless, featuring a blend of fresh vegetables and aromatic spices.
Who is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by chef Rick Bayless.
What are some recommended side dishes for this rice?
It is perfectly suited as a side for enchiladas, tamales, or chiles rellenos.
How many calories are in a serving of this rice?
There are 120 calories per serving.
What type of rice is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of medium grain rice.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use either 2 fresh tomatoes or 1 (15 ounce) can of tomatoes, but do not use both.
What is the first step in preparing the aromatic base?
Roughly chop the fresh tomatoes, white onion, and garlic cloves and puree them in a food processor or blender until smooth.
How long should I sauté the rice?
Sauté the rice in vegetable oil for approximately 5-6 minutes until it becomes opaque.
How much vegetable oil is needed?
You will need 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
When should the carrots be added?
Add the diced carrots after the rice becomes opaque and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
What should I do after adding the tomato puree to the rice?
Cook the mixture until the liquid reduces and the rice mixture appears drier.
What type of broth is best for this recipe?
1 3/4 cups of chicken broth is used, and low-sodium broth is preferable.
How are the jalapeños prepared for the recipe?
The jalapeños should have slits cut into their sides before being added to the mixture.
What is the simmering time for the rice?
Once the mixture reaches a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
When are the frozen peas added?
Scatter the thawed peas across the top of the rice after the initial 15-minute simmer.
How long should the rice rest after adding the peas?
The rice should rest, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the peas to warm through.
Should the rice be rinsed before cooking?
Yes, the medium grain rice should be rinsed and drained.
Is this rice recipe considered vegetarian?
While it contains vegetable tags, it uses chicken broth, so a vegetarian substitute for broth would be needed to make it strictly vegetarian.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 3g of protein.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The fat content is 2g per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the sugar content of the rice?
The rice contains 1g of sugar per serving.
How much fiber does the rice provide?
Each serving provides 1g of fiber.
What should I do with the jalapeños before serving?
You can either discard the jalapeños or use them as a decorative touch on the dish.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 2 garlic cloves.
What herbs are used in this recipe?
2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley are stirred into the mixture.
How should the carrots be cut?
Carrots should be peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1/4 inch dice.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 11 ingredients in this recipe.
What is the final step before serving?
Fluff the rice with a fork to incorporate the peas and serve immediately.
How much salt is recommended?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or adjust to taste.