| If you have ever eaten at a Mexican restaurant, | | | | turn out fluffy, rinse the uncooked rice in a |
| you have probably had a version of Mexican rice. | | | | colander until the water is no longer cloudy. Rinsing |
| This tomato and spice flavored rice has become a | | | | gets rid of excess starch that makes rice sticky. |
| permanent fixture in Mexican cuisine. It was not | | | | You can also soak your rice ahead of time. This |
| always so, however. Rice did not grow in Mexico | | | | helps lower your cooking time and helps the rice |
| originally. It was introduced to Mexico from the | | | | absorb more flavor from the broth and |
| Philippines. The Spanish found that rice grew very | | | | vegetables that are cooked with it. In Mexico, a |
| well around Veracruz and the rest is history. | | | | long grain rice is the preferred variety, but |
| Mexican Rice Customs | | | | medium grained rice works well too. |
| Rice is traditionally served at midday in Mexico. It | | | | What to do With Leftovers |
| is usually served with beans or fish. The rice and | | | | When you have leftover rice, just freeze it. Take |
| beans you get in restaurants are not how they | | | | a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and spread |
| are served in Mexico. Learning more about | | | | the rice out in a thin sheet. Seal up the foil and |
| traditional Mexican food will really open your eyes. | | | | place it in the freezer. When you want to use it |
| Mexican cuisine uses rice in many ways beyond | | | | again, just pop it in the oven at 350 degrees |
| the savory rice discussed here. They also use it in | | | | Fahrenheit to reheat it. You do not need to thaw |
| cakes, desserts and horchata, a tasty drink. | | | | it first. |
| Rice is often prepared in pilaf style in Mexico. Rice | | | | When you choose a Mexican rice recipe, follow |
| is browned first and then simmered in broth. | | | | the directions carefully for the best results. You |
| Additional flavor is added from onions, chilies, and | | | | may be adding ingredients like olive oil, carrots, |
| carrots that cook with the rice. Some regions in | | | | parsley, and chilies. They will add a lot of flavor to |
| Mexico favor a creamier rice that resembles | | | | your finished meal. Serve up your rice with a |
| risotto. | | | | simply prepared fish or other entre. |
| Equipment for Cooking Mexican Rice | | | | Taking the time to learn how to prepare Mexican |
| A cazuela is a clay vessel that was traditionally | | | | rice will add a lot more authenticity to your |
| used to cook rice. It gives the rice an earthy | | | | Mexican cooking. With some practice, you will be |
| flavor. Rice is soaked first, drained, and then fried | | | | able to make a nice Mexican rice without even |
| until it is brown. Broth or other liquid is added so | | | | thinking twice. Your family will love the richness of |
| the rice can simmer until it is done. | | | | the flavor. It is a nice change from pasta or |
| Mexican rice should be fluffy. To make your rice | | | | potatoes. |