Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional, for color)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or 1 cup fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice:
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
- Sauté the Rice:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is lightly golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook the Aromatics:
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, and turmeric (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the Tomato and Broth:
- Stir in the tomato sauce (or fresh tomatoes) and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Rice:
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or saucepan, and let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Avoid lifting the lid or stirring during this time to ensure even cooking.
- Add Vegetables (Optional):
- If using, stir in the frozen peas and carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cover and continue to cook until the vegetables are heated through.
- Fluff and Serve:
- Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips
- Rice Variety: For a more authentic texture, use long-grain rice such as jasmine or basmati.
- Tomato Sauce: If using fresh tomatoes, you may need to adjust the amount of broth depending on the juiciness of the tomatoes.
- Broth: Use low-sodium broth if you’re watching your salt intake. You can also adjust the seasoning with additional spices like paprika or oregano.
- Vegetables: Adding peas and carrots is optional, but it adds color and extra nutrients to the dish.
- Resting: Letting the rice sit covered off the heat for a few minutes helps it finish cooking and makes it fluffier.
Enjoy your Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice as a perfect side dish to any Mexican meal!