Zesty Lemon-Cilantro Infused Rice
Elevate your meal with this Zesty Lemon-Cilantro Infused Rice recipe. This vibrant and refreshing rice dish is easy to prepare and makes for a delightful side that pairs beautifully with fish, seafood, or chicken. Infused with zesty lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and fresh cilantro, it adds a burst of flavor to any plate. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or to impress guests at your next gathering, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
water or chicken broth
2 cups (Use for cooking the rice.)
lemon juice or lime juice
1/4 cup (Freshly squeezed for best flavor.)
lemon rind
2 tablespoons (Grated.)
garlic salt
1 teaspoon (Used to season the rice.)
long grain rice
1 cup (Rinsed before cooking.)
fresh cilantro
1 bunch (Chopped (to taste).)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water or chicken broth, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of grated lemon rind, and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
2
Once boiling, add 1 cup of long grain rice to the saucepan. Stir well to combine, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let simmer for about 30 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
3
After cooking, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to fluff up.
4
Before serving, add 1 bunch of chopped fresh cilantro to the rice, and gently toss to combine. Adjust the seasoning with more garlic salt or lemon juice if desired.
5
Serve warm as a delightful side dish alongside your favorite fish, seafood, or grilled meats.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Lemon-Cilantro Infused Rice?
It is a vibrant and refreshing rice dish infused with lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and fresh cilantro, ideal as a side for fish, seafood, or chicken.
What type of rice is best for this recipe?
Long grain rice is recommended for this recipe because it provides a fluffy texture and stays separate when cooked.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water?
Yes, you can use either water or chicken broth. Using chicken broth will add more depth of flavor to the rice.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
Can I substitute lime juice for lemon juice?
Yes, lime juice can be used as a substitute for lemon juice if you prefer a different citrus profile.
What is the purpose of the lemon rind?
The grated lemon rind adds intense aromatic citrus notes and enhances the overall zestiness of the dish.
How much garlic salt should I add?
The recipe suggests using 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, but you can adjust this to your personal taste.
What is the cooking time for the rice?
The rice should simmer for about 30 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Should I rinse the rice before cooking?
Yes, the recipe specifies using rinsed long grain rice for the best results.
When do I add the fresh cilantro?
Add the chopped fresh cilantro after the rice has finished cooking and resting, just before serving.
Can I use dried cilantro instead of fresh?
Fresh cilantro is highly recommended for its vibrant flavor and color, though dried can be used in a smaller amount if fresh is unavailable.
What main dishes pair well with this rice?
This rice pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, baked fish, shrimp, or other seafood dishes.
Is this rice recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided that the chicken broth used is also certified gluten-free.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: water or broth, lemon juice, lemon rind, garlic salt, long grain rice, and fresh cilantro.
Can I use brown rice instead of long grain white rice?
You can use brown rice, but you will need to increase the liquid amount and the cooking time significantly.
What should I do if the rice is still hard after 30 minutes?
If the rice is still hard, add a splash of water and continue to simmer on low heat for a few more minutes until tender.
Are there other herbs I can add?
While cilantro is the star, you could also add a bit of fresh parsley or mint for additional herbal notes.
How do I make the rice fluffier?
Let the rice stand covered for 5 minutes after removing it from the heat to allow it to fluff up naturally.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is a healthy side dish option that uses fresh citrus and herbs for flavor rather than heavy fats.
How should I store leftover rice?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
How long does the leftover rice last?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, the rice should stay fresh for 3 to 5 days.
Can I freeze this lemon-cilantro rice?
Yes, you can freeze the rice in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.
What is the liquid to rice ratio in this recipe?
The ratio is approximately 2.25 cups of liquid (broth/water and juice) to 1 cup of dry rice.
Can I prepare this recipe in a rice cooker?
Yes, simply add all ingredients except the cilantro to your rice cooker and use the standard white rice setting.
What is a good substitute for garlic salt?
You can use a combination of garlic powder and regular salt if you do not have garlic salt on hand.
How do I grate the lemon rind effectively?
Use a microplane or a fine grater to remove only the yellow part of the skin, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Yes, bottled juice works, but fresh lemon juice provides a much more vibrant and bright flavor.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
It is vegan-friendly as long as you use water or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
What is a rolling boil?
A rolling boil is a vigorous boil with large bubbles that continue to pop even when the liquid is stirred.
Can I add vegetables to this rice?
Absolutely, peas, diced carrots, or sautéed onions would make excellent additions to this rice dish.