Arroz Blanco
White rice
This basic white rice from Mely Martinez' The Mexican Home Kitchen is a terrific accompaniment to dishes like traditional Mexican stews and others prepared in the book.
This rice is a terrific accompaniment to dishes like Mole Poblano, Asado de Puerco, Costillas en Salsa Verde, and many other traditional Mexican stews. It also makes a nice, quick dinner with a fried egg on top and some fried plantains. The preparation of this rice varies from region to region, but the end result is the same. ~Mely Martinez
Reprinted from The Mexico Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes That Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico by Mely Martinez (2020) with permission from The Quarto Group. Click here to purchase your own copy.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup (270 g) long-grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons (24 g) chopped white onion
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable (30 ml) oil or lard (30 g)
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) hot water
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
- 1 serrano pepper (optional)
- A few drops fresh lime or lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
NOTES
- Long-grain rice works best, as it renders a fluffy and moist end result. It has less starch content, so the grains of the cooked rice will not stick together, provided you rinse them well before cooking.
- Some people only rinse the rice. I’ve found that when you soak it, the grains are more tender and fluffier.
- Some cooks prefer to add the garlic, minced, and the chopped onion while cooking the rice in step 4, instead of processing them in the blender in step 2.
- You can use chicken broth instead of the hot water, or a chicken bouillon cube dissolved in water. Keep in mind that your rice won’t be as white in color if you use this option.
Serves 4
PREPARATION
- Place the rice in a large heatproof bowl and add enough hot water to cover the rice. Stir once, then let stand for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the onion, garlic, and ó cup (120 ml) cold water in a blender, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Drain the rice in a strainer, then rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. Shake the strainer well to remove any excess water, as the rice needs to be as dry as possible. Set aside to continue drying.
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan or cazuela over medium-high heat. Add the rice and fry, stirring constantly, until it becomes transparent, 4 to 5 minutes. Don’t overbrown the rice. When it’s done, carefully tip the pan to one side and use a spoon to remove the excess oil.
- Add the onion and garlic mixture to the rice in the saucepan and stir. Add the 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) hot water, along with the parsley (if using), serrano pepper (if using), and lime juice, and bring to a boil.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, season with the salt, and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Once you cover the rice, it is important not to stir or touch it until it is cooked; otherwise, it will become mushy. The water should be absorbed almost completely, and the rice should look cooked and fluffy. Once the rice is cooked, remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes to let the rice continue steaming. Discard the parsley, lightly fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
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Mely Martinez
A former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger, Mely Martinez moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. She shares home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food on her blog Mexico in My Kitchen and is the author of cookbook The Mexican Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes That Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico.
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