Mexican Rice from Cocina Islena

February8

I was at an event this week and a person sitting opposite me wondered where she could find an authentic Mexican Rice recipe. I have made this one oodles of time and sent it off to her.

The first meal I ever ate on Isla was decades ago at La Lomita. Where was yours?

We are off to the island in 14 sleeps and I am eagerly anticipating one of the many reasons we love the island so much and that is the food! When I come home I cook Mexican food to keep the memories and experiences vivid. It occurred to me than many persons on the Isla Mujeres’ Food page (that I moderate) would be interested in these recipes too, when they regretfully arrive home.

So here we go:

Mexican Rice from Cocina Islena

Author: Jackie Feldman, Casa Zaztun

Recipe type: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: 6

This is the way the Islenas make their rice. You can cook it ahead, then heat it thoroughly but gently, in a tightly covered pot for about fifteen minutes. Leftover rice can be heated in the same way the next day and it freezes well. To reheat, make a foil package with the rice and place still frozen, in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

1½ cups rice
⅓ cup oil (I use canola)
I large tomato (1/2 pound) chopped
1 glove of garlic chopped
3½ cups chicken broth

Instructions

Wash and clean rice, taking out any stones that may be in the bag.
Drain in a colander.
Heat the oil in a pan.
Stir in the rice until all the grains are well covered, then fry until a light golden colour, stirring and turning the rice over so it will cook evenly and not get too dark.
This should take about 10 minutes and should be done over a high flame.
In a blender, blend the tomato, onion and garlic until smooth.
Add the vegetables to the fried rice, then continuing to cook over a high flame, stir and scrape the bottom of the pan until the mixture is dry.
Add the broth and add salt as necessary then stir well.
Cook over a medium flame, uncovered until the liquid has been absorbed and small air holes appear in the rice.
Remove from flame and cover tightly, so that no steam can escape, for about 20 minutes and the rice continues to cook in its own steam.

The cookbook was originally a fund-raiser so I ask that each time you print or cook a recipe, please make a donation to one of Isla’s many worthwhile charities. I will do the same. Here are a couple of our favourites:

http://littleyellowschoolhouse.org/

https://islakids.org/

http://islaanimals.org/

https://www.islascholarships.com/

Kath’s quote: “Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world”.-Nelson Mandela