Arroz Blanco

Title:
Arroz Blanco

Yield:
6 Servings

Categories:
Mexican,
Rice




Ingredients:





          Jim Vorheis


 1 1/2 c  Unconverted long-grain rice


   1/3 c  Safflower oil, melted


          -chicken fat, or melted lard


     3 tb Finely chopped white onion


     1    Garlic clove, peeled and


          -finely chopped


 3 1/2 c  Light chicken broth,


          -approximately


     1 c  Fresh corn kernels or 1/3


          -cup carrot rounds


          Plus 1/2 cup fresh peas


          -(optional)


     1    Parsley sprig


     2    Whole chilies serranos


          Sea salt to taste


          White Rice






 Put the rice into a bowl and cover with very hot water. Stir once and leave


 to soak for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again.


 


 Heat the oil in a heavy pan.  Give the rice a final shake and stir into the


 fat.  Fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring almost


 continuously.  Add the onion and garlic and continue frying until the rice


 is just turning a pale gold and the onion is transparent - about 3 to 5


 minutes longer.


 


 Pour in the broth and, if used, the vegetables and parsley or fresh


 chilies, add salt to taste, stir once again for the last time, and cook


 over fairly high heat, uncovered, until all the broth has been absorbed and


 air holes appear in the surface. Cover the surface of the rice with a towel


 and lid and continue cooking over very low heat for 5 minutes more. Remove


 from the heat and set aside in a warm place for the rice to absorb the rest


 of the moisture in the steam and swell ~ about 15 minutes. Dig gently to


 the bottom and test a grain of rice. If it is still damp, cook for a few


 minutes longer.  If the top grains are not quite soft, then sprinkle with
a


 little more hot broth, cover, and cook for a few minutes longer.


 


 Before serving, turn the rice over from the bottom so that the flavored


 juices will be distributed evenly.


 


 The Art of Mexican Cooking From the collection of Jim Vorheis


 


 From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini