Mexican rice facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Arroz a la Mexicana Arroz Mexicano Arroz rojo Red rice Spanish rice |
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| Course | Side dish |
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | White rice, tomatoes, garlic, onions, broth |
Mexican rice is a yummy side dish from Mexico. People sometimes call it Spanish rice or red rice. In Spanish, it's known as arroz a la mexicana, arroz mexicano, or arroz rojo.
This colorful rice is made with white rice, tomato, garlic, and onion. It's usually served hot alongside other delicious Mexican foods. You might eat it with mole (a rich sauce), refried beans, tacos, or rotisserie chicken.
Mexican-style rice is very popular in central and northern Mexico. It's also a favorite in the southwestern United States. People enjoy it all year round, and it's one of the most common dishes in Mexican cooking.
Contents
How to Make Mexican Rice
Making Mexican rice involves a few simple steps. First, you rinse white rice and let it soak a little. Then, you toast the rice in a saucepan with some fat, like cooking oil. The rice grains will turn golden and see-through.
Next, you blend tomato, onion, and garlic with chicken broth or vegetable stock. This makes a tasty sauce. You add this sauce to the toasted rice. The mixture then simmers for about 15 to 20 minutes. The rice soaks up all the liquid and becomes soft and fluffy.
Adding Vegetables and Spices
Sometimes, chopped vegetables are added to Mexican rice. These can include carrot, corn, or pea. If you add them, put them in while the rice is toasting in the oil. This helps them get soft and cook well.
You can season the rice with salt, chopped coriander, or ground cumin. For extra flavor, some people add parsley for color or cilantro for a unique taste. Spices like cumin, oregano, cayenne, and chili powder can also be blended into the tomato sauce.
Why Is It Called Spanish Rice?
In Mexico, this dish is most often called arroz rojo, which means "red rice."
The name "Spanish rice" is sometimes used, especially in Tex-Mex cooking. However, people from Mexico or Spain don't usually use this name. This is because the recipe isn't actually from Spanish cuisine.
Some people think it's called "Spanish rice" because Mexicans speak Spanish. The language of the country might have become part of the dish's name. While it's not the same, it can be seen as a simpler version of Spain's famous paella valenciana. Paella uses saffron or turmeric for a yellow color, but Mexican rice uses tomato, making it red.
Other names for this dish are arroz mexicano (Mexican rice) and arroz a la mexicana (Mexican-style rice).
See also
In Spanish: Arroz rojo para niños
