Mexican White Rice Arroz Blanco Recipes

Steps:

• In small saucepan or microwave oven, heat broth or water until steaming.
• Stir in about 3/4 teaspoon salt if using salted broth, 1 1/2 teaspoons if using unsalted broth or water.
• Cover and keep warm.
• In medium (3-quart) saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium heat.
• When hot, add raw rice and onion and stir regularly until grains have turned from translucent to milky-white, 4-5 minutes.
• Add garlic and stir for a few seconds, until fragrant. Do not let grains brown.
• Add the warm liquid and lime juice, stir thoroughly, scraping down any grains that are clinging to the side of the pan.
• Cover and cook over the lowest heat for 15 minutes--temperature should be low enough that only the slightest hint of steam escapes lid.
• Remove pan from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
• Uncover and test a grain of rice: if still a little hard, re-cover pan and set over low heat for about 5 min.; if rice has absorbed all liquid and is completely dry, sprinkle on 2 tablespoons water before returning to heat.
• When rice is done, sprinkle on parsley and gently fluff with fork to release steam and stop the cooking.

Steps:

• Cover the rice with hot water and let stand for 10 minutes. Drain the rice in a sieve or colander and rinse until the water runs clear. Shake the sieve vigorously to remove excess water.
• In a blender, combine the onion, garlic, salt, and 3 cups of water and process until puréed (use caution when blending hot liquids).
• In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Add the rice and sauté until it crackles when stirred, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic mixture, bring to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the cilantro or parsley and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until small holes appear in the rice, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and remove the herb sprigs. Keep covered until ready to serve.