121 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
121 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
# Mexican Red Rice (Simplified)
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**Servings:** 4 | **Prep Time:** 5 minutes | **Cook Time:** 20 minutes
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Simplified Mexican red rice using tomato paste and plenty of garlic — no fresh onions or tomatoes needed. Rich, savory, and ready in 20 minutes.
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## Ingredients
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- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
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- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
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- 4 garlic cloves, minced
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- 2 tbsp tomato paste
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- 2.5 cups chicken broth
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- 1 tsp cumin
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- 0.5 tsp chili powder
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- 0.75 tsp salt
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- 0.5 cup frozen peas (optional)
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- 2 fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish
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## Instructions
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### 1. Toast the rice
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Do NOT rinse the rice. The surface starch is essential. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the dry rice and stir constantly, toasting until the grains turn golden brown. (About 5 minutes)
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### 2. Cook the garlic
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Reduce heat to medium. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until fragrant and softened (don't let it brown).
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### 3. Add tomato paste and spices
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Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomato paste coats the rice.
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### 4. Simmer
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Pour in the chicken broth. Stir once to combine, then bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer until the liquid is fully absorbed. (About 18 minutes)
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### 5. Rest and add peas
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If using peas, scatter them over the top of the rice without stirring, then re-cover and let steam for 5 minutes off the heat.
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### 6. Fluff and serve
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Fluff gently with a fork, taste for seasoning, and garnish with cilantro. Serve hot.
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## Notes
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**Do not rinse the rice** — the surface starch helps the grains absorb flavor and achieve the right texture.
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**The toasting step is key** — don't skip it. Browning the dry rice in oil gives it a nutty flavor and keeps the grains separate.
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**Need more vegetables?** Add diced carrots, corn, or jalapeño at the same time as the garlic.
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**Make it vegetarian:** Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
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**Taste adjustment:** If the tomato paste flavor is too strong, reduce to 1.5 tbsp and add an extra 0.25 cup of broth.
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# Original Recipe
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# Mexican Red Rice (Arroz Rojo)
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**Servings:** 4 | **Prep Time:** 5 minutes | **Cook Time:** 20 minutes
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Classic restaurant-style Mexican red rice, toasted and simmered in tomato and chicken broth with warm spices. Rich, savory, and the perfect base for any Mexican meal. Flexible with tomatoes and onions — use what you have.
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## Ingredients
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- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
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- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
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- 0.5 cup white onion, finely diced (see notes for alternatives)
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- 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 4-5 if omitting onion)
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- 1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced OR salsa OR canned tomatoes (see notes)
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- 2 cups chicken broth
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- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional; skip if using salsa)
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- 1 tsp cumin
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- 0.5 tsp chili powder
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- 0.75 tsp salt
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- 0.5 cup frozen peas (optional)
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- 2 fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish
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## Instructions
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### 1. Toast the rice (do not rinse first)
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Do NOT rinse the rice. The surface starch is essential — it helps the grains absorb the tomato flavor and gives the rice its characteristic texture. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the dry rice and stir constantly, toasting until the grains turn golden brown. (About 5 minutes)
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### 2. Cook the aromatics
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Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion (or your substitute) and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion softens and becomes translucent (or about 1 minute if using extra garlic). (About 3 minutes)
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### 3. Add tomato (or substitute) and spices
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Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomato breaks down slightly and coats the rice. (About 2 minutes)
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### 4. Simmer
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Pour in the chicken broth. Stir once to combine, then bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer until the liquid is fully absorbed. (About 18 minutes)
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### 5. Rest and add peas
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If using peas, scatter them over the top of the rice without stirring, then re-cover and let steam for 5 minutes off the heat.
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### 6. Fluff and serve
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Fluff gently with a fork, taste for seasoning, and garnish with cilantro. Serve hot.
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## Notes
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**Do not rinse the rice** — the surface starch helps the grains absorb flavor and achieve the right texture.
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**Tomato substitutes (use ~1 cup total):**
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- Salsa (mild, medium, or hot) — use 1 cup and reduce broth to 1.5 cups; skip the tomato paste
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- Canned diced tomatoes — drain well and use 1 cup
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- Tomato juice or V8 — use 1 cup, skip the tomato paste
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- Just tomato paste — use 2 tbsp with an extra 0.5 cup of broth (less saucy but still tasty)
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**Onion substitutes (use ~0.5 cup equivalent):**
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- Skip the onion entirely — you already have plenty of garlic and spice
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- Shallots — same amount
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- Leeks (white part only) — finely sliced
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- Scallions/green onions — add at the end after fluffing for fresher taste
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- Extra garlic — use 4–5 cloves instead of 3
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**The toasting step is key** — don't skip it. Browning the dry rice in oil gives it a nutty flavor and keeps the grains separate.
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**Add-ins:** Diced carrots, corn, or jalapeño are all great additions — add them with the onion.
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**Make it vegetarian:** Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
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