When it comes to food, Mexican cuisine offers a wide variety of incredible dishes, most of them quite easy to make. However, before learning how to prepare Mexican rice, it is important to distinguish it from the Spanish version.
A debate has been raised over the years, since Spanish rice is considered by many people as the original meal, while others claim it was the Mexicans who invented it. Fact is that knowing the differences will help you make both dishes properly.
From both sides of the Atlantic
When preparing an authentic Mexican rice recipe it is important to have the right rice and avoid, as most people do, confusing Spanish rice with Mexican rice. How to tell one dish from the other? Although they might look similar, there are several differences that can help avoid this confusion, and prepare the Mexican rice with the proper recipe.
Spanish rice is the rice bomb and is used for paella recipes, a dish with a very traditional yellow color that is made with onions, tomatoes, garlic and saffron as the main seasoning, although it is common to add meat, seafood and pepper. All ingredients are simmered in chicken, vegetable, or fish broth.
On the other hand, Mexican rice, known in Mexico as red rice, is made with a medium-long-grain rice, from Sinaloa or Morelos regions, accompanied by onion, garlic and tomato. Cumin is used instead of saffron to give color and flavor to rice, an ingredient that provides a nutty and spicy smell, as well as an orange-red appearance to rice.
Although the change from saffron to cumin seems very simple, the truth is that there are significant differences in taste and presentation between both dishes.
Healthy dishes with rice
Mexico is not only characterized by having a spicy and rather fatty gastronomy, it is also distinguished by many other tasty and healthy dishes, where rice is one of the main ingredients.
One of the best options we can find in Mexican cuisine is gratin rice, a dish which is recommended to prepare with black rice or Japonica, also known as indica rice. This is a long grain type known for being low in carbohydrates.
You can use this rice to prepare the typical Mexican rice, with vegetables, a very healthy and delicious option. Nor can we forget the white rice with corn, a simple and healthy preparation to make at home.
How to make Mexican rice?
This typical dish can be made with Japonica rice if you want a meal with low carbohydrate levels. And, apart from being made in a relatively short time, it will surely satisfy all your diners.
Ingredients
- Two tomatoes.
- A small onion.
- A jalapeno.
- Two cloves of garlic.
- Two tablespoons of oil.
- Half a cup of long-grain white rice.
- Half a cup of chicken stock, although warm water can be used.
- A spoonful of tomato paste.
- Salt to taste.
- Chopped cilantro, this ingredient is to decorate the dish.
Method of preparation
- Chop the two tomatoes and the onion in large pieces (quarters) and mix them in a blender or food processor.
- Remove the jalapeno seeds and cut into small, square pieces.
- Heat the oil in a pan for one minute, place the rice and let cook for a while. Do not forget to stir constantly to avoid sticking.
- When the rice changes color it means that it is ready, this will take between three or five minutes.
- Add the finely chopped garlic cloves, as well as the jalapeno, and stir one more minute. Place the tomato and onion mixture along with the chicken broth, and add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Salt to taste, cover the pot and cook for about 25 minutes over medium-low heat. Watch the liquid absorption and be very careful not to overcook the rice.
- When ready, serve and add chopped coriander on top.
Preparing this delicious Mexican rice is very easy, as the ingredients can be bought in any store, and it is not necessary to have experience in the kitchen.
It is a very healthy option because of its low calorie content, so it is worth preparing it from time to time.
Photo by Matthew Barra from Pexels
