Although it may seem simple, the key to perfect white rice lies in the way you make it, the right amount of water, the right temperature, and the right cooking time. Mexican white rice is essential in Mexican cuisine and will serve as a base for many dishes or to enjoy on its own.
All about white rice
White rice is a variety of rice that has been processed to remove the husk or bran that surrounds the grain and the germ. This process gives the rice a white color, a softer texture, and a shorter cooking time.
White rice is the base of many dishes around the world because of its neutral flavor, which allows it to combine well with many other ingredients.
About Mexican white rice
In the context of Mexican cuisine, authentic Mexican white rice often refers to a specific dish in which the rice is first sautéed in oil before being cooked in water.
This method gives the rice a more complex flavor and a less sticky texture compared to cooking the rice in water from the beginning. Garlic, onion, or broth is often added to improve its flavor.
This is my recipe, and it is delicious; use it as a guide and adapt it to your taste. Like many Mexican recipes, each family has its own way of making it, this is mine, and I hope you like it very much.
Ingredients to make white rice
- White rice, this recipe also works with brown rice.
- Onion and garlic, with just a clove of garlic and a piece of onion, you will see how it brings out the flavor of the rice.
- Cilantro and serrano chile. The whole serrano chile and the cilantro are well-washed and whole, so you can remove them at the end.
What is the best type of rice for Mexican rice?
Long grain rice is the best type of rice for Mexican white rice. This type of rice has grains that are approximately four times longer than they are wide. It remains loose and fluffy after cooking, which is ideal for Mexican white rice.
Basmati rice or jasmine rice is also long-grain and can be used if you cannot get regular long-grain rice. However, basmati rice and jasmine rice have different flavors that can affect the final taste of the dish, so they are not the first choice for Mexican white rice.
In general, you should avoid using short grain or sticky rice for Mexican white rice, as these types of rice tend to stick together after cooking, which is not what you are looking for in this dish.
How to make the best Mexican white rice?
Start by rinsing the long-grain white rice until the water becomes clear. Once this is done, set it aside. This step is optional, sometimes I rinse it, and sometimes I do not.
In a large skillet, add butter or oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the rice and stir-fry for two minutes, making sure to stir constantly to prevent sticking.
In a food processor or blender, combine the onion and garlic with a generous amount of salt and 1 cup of water. You should get about a cup and a half of this liquid. If necessary, add more water or vegetable broth until you reach a total of two cups of liquid.
Pour this liquid over the rice in the pan. Top with cilantro sprigs and whole serrano chile. Put the lid on the pan and let the rice cook for 15 minutes. Once this time has elapsed, turn off the heat but leave the rice covered for 5 more minutes.
Finally, remove the lid and remove the cilantro and chili. Fluff the rice with a fork and taste for flavor. Adjust seasoning if necessary, and it is ready to serve.
Tips for storing rice
Storage of uncooked rice: Uncooked rice should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If stored properly, white rice can last up to two years.
How to store cooked rice? After cooking the rice, let it cool at room temperature for no more than one hour before refrigerating. Once it is cold, you can put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Try to consume it within 3-5 days to ensure freshness and safety.
Can cooked rice be frozen? If you want to store the rice longer, you can freeze it. Again, let the rice cool to room temperature and then put it in an airtight container or freezer bags.
Cooked rice can last up to three months in the freezer. To use it, thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat it in the microwave or in a frying pan.
How to reheat rice? When you are ready to eat the stored rice, be sure to reheat it until it is piping hot. Once you have reheated the rice, you should not cool and heat it again.
Serving ideas for white rice
- Serve it as a base for meatballs; I leave you the recipe for albóndigas with masa and albondigas with chipotle.
- You can also use it to make vegan chicken broth more filling.
- With lentil picadillo or with Cuban picadillo.
- It can also be served alone and accompanied by diced avocado and a good spoonful of salsa verde or Salsa molcajeteada.
Mexican white rice, Arroz blanco Mexicano
Equipment
- blender
- Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 white onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the long-grain white rice until the water becomes clear.
- Once this is done, set it aside.
- This step is optional, sometimes I rinse it, and sometimes I do not.
- In a large skillet, add butter or oil and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add the rice and stir-fry for two minutes, making sure to stir constantly to prevent sticking.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the onion and garlic with a generous amount of salt and 1 cup of water.
- It would help if you got about a cup and a half of this liquid.
- If necessary, add more water or vegetable broth until you reach a total of two cups of liquid.
- Pour this liquid over the rice in the pan.
- Top with cilantro sprigs and whole serrano chile.
- Put the lid on the pan and cook the rice for 15 minutes.
- Once this time has elapsed, turn off the heat and cover the rice for 5 more minutes.
- Finally, remove the lid and remove the cilantro and chili.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and taste for flavor.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary, and it is ready to serve.
Notes
- Uncooked rice should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If stored properly, white rice can last up to two years.
- How to store cooked rice?
After cooking the rice, let it cool at room temperature for about one hour before refrigerating.
Once it is cold, you can put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Try to consume it within 3-5 days to ensure freshness and safety. - Can cooked rice be frozen?
If you want to store the rice longer, you can freeze it.
Again, let the rice cool to room temperature and put it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Cooked rice can last up to three months in the freezer.
To use it, thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or a frying pan. - How to reheat rice?
When you are ready to eat the stored rice, reheat it until it is piping hot.
Once you have reheated the rice, you should not cool and heat it again.
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Tengo una Certificación Profesional en la cocina vegana; en el mundo de la cocina basada en vegetales, frutas, granos, leguminosas… en comida limpia, orgánica y vegana.
My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
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