Mexican Rice 101

On almost every platter served at Mexican restaurants, you will see a generous helping of Mexican rice. This tomato laden rice is a common side dish in restaurants, and it is a staple in Mexican cuisine. It has not always been this way, however. Rice is not native to Mexico. When the Spanish discovered that rice would grow well in the Veracruz region, it became integrated into Mexican cuisine.

Rice is traditionally served at midday in Mexico. It is usually served with beans or fish. The rice and beans you get in restaurants are not how they are served in Mexico. Learning more about traditional Mexican food will really open your eyes. Mexican cuisine uses rice in many ways beyond the savory rice discussed here. They also use it in cakes, desserts and horchata, a tasty drink.

In Mexico, rice is often served in a pilaf style. What this means is the rice is browned before being simmered in broth. The rice is seasoned by adding carrots, peas, onions and other vegetables while the rice cooks. In some parts of Mexico, a creamier rice may be served that is similar to risotto.

A cazuela is a clay vessel that was traditionally used to cook rice. It gives the rice an earthy flavor. Rice is soaked first, drained, and then fried until it is brown. Broth or other liquid is added so the rice can simmer until it is done.

Mexican rice should be fluffy. To make your rice turn out fluffy, rinse the uncooked rice in a colander until the water is no longer cloudy. Rinsing gets rid of excess starch that makes rice sticky. You can also soak your rice ahead of time. This helps lower your cooking time and helps the rice absorb more flavor from the broth and vegetables that are cooked with it. In Mexico, a long grain rice is the preferred variety, but medium grained rice works well too.

If you have leftover rice, it is easy to freeze it for another day. Pack the rice into thin layers on heavy duty aluminum foil. Seal it up and freeze it. They stack nicely in the freezer and are easy to reheat. Simply place the frozen packets in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour. No defrosting is needed.

When you choose a Mexican rice recipe, follow the directions carefully for the best results. You may be adding ingredients like olive oil, carrots, parsley, and chilies. They will add a lot of flavor to your finished meal. Serve up your rice with a simply prepared fish or other entre.

Knowing how to make Mexican rice will really fill out your menu when you choose other Mexican entrees. The recipe is easy to do once you learn it. It makes a wonderful change instead of potatoes or pasta. It is a great choice when you want something different. Many people rate Mexican food as one of their favorites; when you can add this and other Mexican dishes to your menu, your family will cheer.

If you like Mexican food, you can learn a lot about its history and preparation at MexicanFoodRecipes.org. From favorites like tamales to enchiladas to lesser known treats like posole and authentic Mexican rice recipes, you can find all sorts of great recipes here.