Go Back Email Link
Print Recipe

Arroz Rojo

Restaurant-quality Mexican side dish you all know and love. Make a big batch to include in Mission-style burritos, burrito bowls, soups and even salads.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: rice
Servings: 8
Calories: 90kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • heavy skillet with lid

Mise en place

  • 2 c long or extra long grain white rice
  • 1/4 c oil corn or safflower is preferred, avocado or olive oil is fine
  • 2 ea tomatoes about 1 lb, quartered
  • 1/3 c white onion roughly chopped
  • 2 ea garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 tbsp chili powder or 1 t each of cumin, dried oregano, paprika and black pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 4 c chicken stock warmed
  • 4 sprigs cilantro
  • 1 tbsp lime juice fresh squeezed

Method

  • Soak the rice in hot water for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water and drain well
  • While the rice is soaking, puree the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chili powder and salt, in the blender and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in the skillet over medium-high heat and toast the well-drained rice, about 3-4 minutes, until the rice has turned milky white and feels like the grains have hardened when you stir it around.
  • Add the tomato puree, stir to coat the rice thoroughly and absorb into the rice, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the warm chicken stock to the skillet with the lime juice, gently stir and arrange the cilantro sprigs on top of the rice.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer the rice, about 18-20 minutes.
  • Check the rice for doneness and seasoning. If it needs to cook a bit more, make sure there is some liquid in the pot. If not, add a couple of tablespoons of water, cover and cook a few minutes more.
  • Let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Notes

Serve immediately, or cool completely before storing in the refrigerator, up to 4 days, or freezing, up to 1 month.
To reheat, add rice to a pot with a tablespoon of water and heat through on a low flame.  Or use a microwave.