Mexican Red Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cup Long-grain white rice
• 2 Tomatoes, quartered
• 1 Garlic clove
• 1 Medium white onion
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Chicken broth, for blending
• 2.5 cup Chicken broth
• 1 cup Peas and carrots
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 5 springs Cilantro
• 1 Jalapeño

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Rinse the rice

   Place the rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Gently stir the rice with your fingers for a few seconds, then drain. Rinse under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain thoroughly and let the rice sit in the strainer for a few minutes to remove any excess water.

2. 2

   2. Prepare the tomato sauce

   Add the tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin, salt, and ½ cup of chicken broth to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Set aside.

3. 3

   3. Toast the rice

   Heat a deep skillet or medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the well-drained rice and cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the grains are lightly golden. This step is important because it helps keep the rice fluffy and separate while adding the characteristic flavor of Mexican red rice.

4. 4

   4. Add the tomato sauce

   Carefully pour the tomato sauce over the toasted rice. Stir well and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the raw tomato aroma has mellowed.

5. 5

   5. Cook the rice

   Add the remaining 2½ cups of chicken broth and stir once to distribute the rice evenly. Add the peas and carrots, cilantro sprigs, and jalapeño. Increase the heat and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid while the rice cooks, as the trapped steam is important for proper cooking.

6. 6

   6. Rest and fluff

   Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the cilantro and jalapeño. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and taste. Adjust the salt if needed.