If you have ever eaten at a Mexican restaurant, you have probably had a version of Mexican rice. This tomato and spice flavored rice has become a permanent fixture in Mexican cuisine. It was not always so, however. Rice did not grow in Mexico originally. It was introduced to Mexico from the Philippines. The Spanish found that rice grew very well around Veracruz and the rest is history.
In Mexico, rice is traditionally served at the midday meal. It may be served with either beans or fish. When you get rice and beans on your plate at a typical Mexican restaurant, this is not the same as what you would get in Mexico. Besides being used to make the savory rice you are familiar with, rice is also used to make desserts, cakes, and the popular Mexican drink, horchata.
Pilaf style is a very popular way to serve rice in Mexico. For a pilaf, the rice must be browned before being cooked in broth. Rice is seasoned by adding onions, carrots and other vegetables while the rice is simmering. Some people in Mexico prefer a creamier rice that is very similar to risotto.
A traditional method for cooking rice is to use a vessel made of clay called a cazuela. The rice gets an earthy flavor from the vessel. Rice is soaked, drained, and then fried until it turns golden. Liquid is added into the vessel and the rice simmers until done.
Mexican rice should be nice and fluffy. To get fluffy rice, you need to rinse the rice before cooking. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. The water washes the extra starch off of the rice, which makes it sticky. You can also soak your rice ahead of time. This lessens your cooking time and helps the rice absorb more flavors during cooking. Long grain rice is preferred in Mexico, but medium grain rice also works very well.
When you have leftover rice, just freeze it. Take a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and spread the rice out in a thin sheet. Seal up the foil and place it in the freezer. When you want to use it again, just pop it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat it. You do not need to thaw it first.
Rice is the perfect side dish to many Mexican chicken recipes. You can also serve it with fish, tacos, or any other main dish that you would prefer. Season it with olive oil, chilies, and carrots for a nice, rich flavor. It does not take too long to make and it will taste wonderful with almost anything. Try some soon and see what you think.
Learning how to prepare Mexican rice will add a lot more dimension to your meal whenever you make Mexican food at home. With a little practice, you will be able to add this recipe to your list of accomplishments that your family will look forward to.
If you like the sound of the above authentic Mexican recipes, why not try making some yourself? Mexican cuisine is both simple enough for the beginner to master and vast enough to maintain your interest. You will find plenty of recipes at MexicanFoodRecipes.org/ as well as handy cooking tips and more.



