**Arroz con Achiote: A Colorful and Flavorful Mexican Rice Dish**
Arroz con achiote is a traditional Mexican rice dish that is bursting with flavor and color. The vibrant orange hue comes from achiote paste, a condiment made from annatto seeds. This flavorful paste adds a slightly earthy, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor to the rice, making it a popular choice for special occasions and everyday meals. In this collection of recipes, we'll explore different ways to prepare arroz con achiote, from the classic version to variations that incorporate vegetables, meat, and seafood. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you'll find a recipe here that suits your taste and skill level. So get ready to embark on a culinary journey and discover the deliciousness of arroz con achiote!
MEXICAN ACHIOTE RICE (ARROZ AMARILLO)
Recipe Other Mexican achiote rice (arroz amarillo) - Recipe Petitchef
Provided by DinnerNight
Categories other
Time 35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the garlicky achiote paste Add the achiote seeds (freshly ground in a spice grinder) or achiote paste, allspice, pepper, oregano, and vinegar to a mortar and pestle (click here for information about mortars and pestles), or small bowl and mix well to create a smooth paste.
- For the garlicky achiote paste Add the achiote seeds (freshly ground in a spice grinder) or achiote paste, allspice, pepper, oregano, and vinegar to a mortar and pestle (click here for information about mortars and pestles), or small bowl and mix well to create a smooth paste.
- Next, dribble on and work in enough water (usually about a tablespoon or 2) to give it all the consistency of a thick but spreadable paste. You will need 2 tablespoons of the achiote paste. (Reserve the remainder in a small jar for future use on chicken, fish, pork, turkey, or rice. It will keep in the refrigerator for a while.)
- For the rice Cook the fresh peas in a pot of boiling water until tender, drain and set aside. Or simply measure out frozen peas.
- In a 2-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium heat and add the rice and onion. Cook, stirring regularly and scraping up any sticky bits from the bottom of the pan, until the rice is chalky looking and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the broth and the 2 tablespoons of achiote paste, along with 1/2-1 teaspoon of salt, depending on the saltiness of the broth. Whisk the broth mixture well, then add to the hot rice pan. Add the carrots. Stir once, scrape down any rice kernels clinging to the side of the pan, cover and cook over medium-low for 15 minutes.
- Uncover and bite into a grain of rice: It should be nearly cooked through. If the rice is just about ready, turn off the heat, stir in the peas, re-cover, and let stand for 5-10 minutes longer to complete the cooking. If the rice seems far from done, cook for 5 minutes or so, retest and then add the peas, remove from the heat, and let stand a few minutes. Fluff the rice, scoop it into a warm serving dish, sprinkle with cilantro and serve. It's enticingly exotic! (www.robinsdinnernight.blogspot.com)
PIGEON PEA RICE: ARROZ CON GANDULES
Provided by Ingrid Hoffmann
Categories side-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and bacon. Fry, stirring, until the bacon is crisp. Add the onion and cilantro. Continue to cook for 5 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the rice, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, salt, achiote, and pigeon peas. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice is opaque. Stir in the tomato paste and water and bring to boil. When all the water is absorbed, cover tightly and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Serve on a decorative platter and garnish with cilantro.
CHICKEN WITH RICE (ARROZ CON POLLO)
Provided by Daisy Martinez
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a paella pan or wide, shallow pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the Achiote Oil over medium-high heat until the oil is rippling. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add as many pieces skin side down to the pan as fit without touching. Cook, turning as necessary, until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the pieces as they are done and set aside. Adjust the heat under the pan, especially after you start removing chicken, so the chicken browns without the oil darkening.
- When all the chicken is removed from the pan, add the Sofrito and alcaparrado. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and boil until most of the water is evaporated from the Sofrito. Add the cumin and cloves.
- Stir in the rice until coated with oil. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in enough broth to cover the rice by the width of 2 fingers (about 1-inch), and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat until the level of liquid reaches the rice. Stir gently and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until the liquid is absorbed, the chicken is cooked through, and the rice is tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. The arroz con pollo can be brought to the table right in the pan or transferred to a large serving platter. Either way, garnish with the red pepper before serving.
- Heat the oil and annatto seeds in a small skillet over medium heat just until the seeds give off a lively, steady sizzle. Don't overheat the mixture or the seeds will turn black and the oil will turn a nasty green. Once they're sizzling, remove the pan from the heat and let stand until the sizzling stops. Strain and reserve in a jar with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Chop the onion and Cubanelle or Italian peppers in the work bowl of a food processor until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients 1 at a time and process until smooth. The sofrito will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It also freezes beautifully.
ARROZ CON GANDULES (PUERTO RICAN RICE WITH PIGEON PEAS)
Steps:
- Heat your caldero or Dutch oven to medium heat, and add your olive oil, bacon/ham (if using) and sofrito. Stir constantly until fragrant and tender, but not browned, about 4 minutes.
- Next add in the Sazon, tomato sauce or paste and chicken bouillon. Stir to combine.
- Add in the drained pigeon peas, Italian seasoning or oregano, bay leaves, and water/broth. Add the cilantro and/or olives, if using. Allow the liquid to come up to a boil, and taste it for salt. If it needs more saltiness, add in another chicken bouillon cube. You want this liquid to be highly seasoned, as it will determine the final seasoning of the rice.
- Once the mixture is boiling, add the rice. Stir the rice to get it submerged and distribute the pigeon peas throughout.
- Cover and allow the rice to absorb all the visible liquid. Once most of the visible surface liquid is absorbed, stir the rice, and cover again. Lower the flame to low, and allow it to steam for 20-25 minutes. It's done with all the liquid is absorbed and the grains are fluffy and fully cooked.
YELLOW RICE - ARROZ AMARILLO CON ACHIOTE
Make as a side to black beans for a nice vegetarian meal. Annatto seeds are brick red, triangular in shape, 1/8" - 3/16". The seeds are available whole and can often be purchased in a block or paste form at Latin American section of your supermarkets. Annatto was once used to control fevers, dysentery and kidney diseases, though is now used mostly as a dye in medical preparations such as ointments and plasters. In India the pulp is used as an insect repellent.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Infusing Annatto Oil:.
- Heat the seeds and oil in a small saucepan over low heat, swirling pan frequently, until the oil turns bright red-orange in color. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes and then remove from heat. Let it cool for about 10 minutes and then strain the oil. Discard the seeds.
- Reheat annatto oil and butter in a skillet. Saute the onions, celery and garlic with salt, pepper and cumin to taste until soft. Add the bell peppers and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peppers are lightly cooked.
- Next add the rice and stir into the mixture.
- Saute it until the rice turns opaque.
- Add the stock or water and cook covered for about 15 minutes in medium heat until cooked.
- Garnish with cilantro, lime slices and Pimentos.
ARROZ AMARILLO
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the achiote oil: Heat the oil and achiote seeds in a saute pan over low heat for 5 minutes. Strain the oil and let cool. Set aside 3 tablespoons for the refrito, and reserve the remaining oil for another use.
- For the refrito: Place the peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and onions in a food processor and pulse until blended. Add in 3 tablespoons of the achiote oil and season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Stir everything together and chill until needed. Set aside 1/2 cup for the arroz amarillo, and then reserve the rest for another use.
- For the arroz: Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup refrito, achiote powder and turmeric and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the rice until evenly coated with the refrito mixture. Stir in the hot chicken stock and bring to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and continue to cook the rice for 20 minutes. Chill the rice before serving.
YELLOW "RICE" WITH SERRANO HAM ("ARROZ" AMARILLO CON JAMON)
Steps:
- Pour the clam juice into a small saucepan and heat to simmering. Keep hot over very low heat.
- Heat the achiote oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the garlic, stirring to prevent sticking, and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the ham and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the orzo and stir until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
- Pour enough hot clam juice into the skillet to cover the orzo by about 1/2-inch. Bring to a boil, then adjust the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking, adding small amounts of the hot clam juice to keep the orzo covered as necessary, until the pasta is tender but still firm, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. The pasta should have a creamy consistency, but there should be little, if any, liquid left by the end of cooking. If a bit soupy, let stand for a minute or so. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with the chopped parsley.
- Heat the oil and annatto seeds in a small skillet over medium heat just until the seeds give off a lively, steady sizzle. Don't overheat the mixture or the seeds will turn black and the oil will turn a nasty green. Once they're sizzling, remove the pan from the heat and let stand until the sizzling stops. Strain and reserve in a jar with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to 4 days.
ARROZ CON POLLO
Steps:
- Place 1/2 cup of olive oil in small pan and add the achiote. Heat on medium heat until bubbles form, then remove from heat and let steep. Drain achiote seeds from oil (should be a vibrant reddish-orange color). Place oil in large stockpot. Heat oil on high and place chicken pieces in pot and brown - this is done just to brown chicken NOT to cook it. Remove chicken from pot Place diced onions, garlic, and peppers in pot with the achiote. Saute until soft (do not burn garlic). Put capers in pot and cook for a while with the onion mixture. Add rice to the pot with garlic, peppers, garlic and capers, then swirl rice into the mixture. Let the rice cook for just about a minute. Place cut up cilantro and basil in pot. Add in chicken broth and make sure you scrape the pot. Add chicken pieces back in. Put olives in and mix. Place bay leaves in pot. Check for seasonings (Please note: add salt and pepper at the end). Let the mixture cook on medium heat until the rice is done. Add peas just before serving.
- In another medium pot place peeled asparagus in water and boil until they turn bright green. Place in ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- To serve, place rice and chicken in a large platter. Arrange chicken pieces around platter and rice in the center. Place cooked asparagus around the platter and then place pimentos in the center.
- Serve with tostones (recipe follows).
- Peel plantains and cut at an angle. Place in cold water with salt. In a large frying pan put in 1/2 cup oil (preferably peanut oil ). Place plantains in pan and cook until somewhat soft (they will turn a lovely pale yellow color). Take them out of the pan and smash each one between 2 pieces of foil (folded 2 or 3 times to make a thick pad - place 2 paper towels on top of foil so that you don't burn yourself). Return to frying pan (you may have to add more oil). Fry until crisp and then season with salt. Serve with rice and chicken - or just about anything!
ARROZ CON POLLO AL ACHIOTE
El fuerte y espeso aroma de la salsa de achiote une a la perfección los sabores predilectos del arroz y del pollo.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Cocina internacional
Time 55m
Yield 6 porciones
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mezcla la mayonesa con la pasta de achiote. Agrega la mitad al pollo en un tazón grande; revuélvelo para recubrirlo bien.
- Cocina el pollo, dándole vuelta de vez en cuando, en una sartén honda grande o en una olla pesada tipo Dutch Oven a fuego medio-alto durante 5 min. o hasta que se dore de forma pareja. Retíralo de la sartén; deshazte de la grasa. Tapa el pollo para mantenerlo caliente.
- Agrega a la sartén el arroz, la cebolla, el pimiento, el ajo y el resto de la mezcla de mayonesa; cocínalos a fuego medio-bajo 3 min. mientras los revuelves constantemente. Agrega el agua y el caldo; revuélvelos. Pon el pollo por encima. Hazlos hervir; pon la tapa. Mantén un hervor suave de 22 a 25 min. o hasta que el pollo esté cocido (165ºF) y se absorba el líquido.
- Pon las aceitunas y el cilantro por encima.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g
ARROZ CON AXIOTE
Steps:
- Picar apio, ejotes y pimiento (limpio de semillas) del tamaño de los chícharos. Por separado cocer la pechuga con abundante agua (cebolla) para utilizar el caldo de pollo en la cocción del arroz. Diluir axiote en 1/2 taza de caldo de pollo. desmenuzar pechuga cocida En una cacerola agregar un poco de aceite y sofreír el arroz, ya que tenga color agregar las verduras, dejarlas calentar y agregar el axiote previamente diluido, agregar la pechuga, agregar sal para sazonar. por cada taza de arroz agregar 2 tazas de caldo o agua..
ARROZ CON GANDULES (PUERTO RICAN RICE WITH PIGEON PEAS)
Every step and ingredient adds something important to this recipe from the Puerto Rican-born chef and writer Reina Gascón-López. Annatto seeds steeped in oil give the rice its signature marigold hue. The banana leaf imparts a subtle tropical aroma to the rice as it cooks. Olives, ham, beer and peppers with their brine offer salt, fat, acid, umami and a bright pop of color. The sheer number of flavors layered into this dish make it a delight to unpack. The most exhilarating layer is the last one: pegao, the crisp, glassy shards of rice at the bottom of the pot. Gandules (pigeon peas) make this version of rice and beans distinctly Caribbean. Ms. Gascón-López prefers to start with dry gandules, which her family sometimes ships to her from Puerto Rico, then flavors the pot with some sofrito, a bay leaf or two and a smoked pork neck. If you have trouble finding dry pigeon peas, they are often labeled as toor at Indian grocery stores.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories dinner, grains and rice, vegetables, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Lay 1 banana leaf (or more, if needed) flat on a large cutting board, then set the lid of a large Dutch oven or similar pot on top. Use a paring knife to trace around the lid, and cut the leaf (or leaves) so that they will fit properly inside the pot. Cover with a clean dishcloth and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, cook the neutral oil and annatto seeds over medium heat, allowing the seeds to infuse the oil. After 2 to 3 minutes, when the oil begins to bubble and the seeds start to crackle, turn off the heat and allow the oil to cool completely. Pour the cool oil through a fine-mesh strainer, reserving seeds for another round of infusing, if desired.
- Make the sofrito: Use a food processor or high-speed blender to pulse the onion, red and green bell peppers, cubanelle pepper, garlic, cilantro, scallions, ají dulce peppers (if using) and culantro (if using), adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if needed to achieve a smooth, salsa-like consistency. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon sazón and set aside. (The sofrito makes about 2 cups. Refrigerate it for up to 5 days or portion it into ice cube trays or plastic containers, and freeze up to 6 months.)
- Set the large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons annatto oil and the ham or fatback. Sauté until crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup sofrito, the olives and 1 tablespoon sazón, stirring until sofrito is fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Next, add pigeon peas and sauté for another 3 minutes. Season with adobo, salt and black pepper to taste.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add rice, stirring until grains are all coated, seasoned and starting to toast. If there isn't enough oil to generously coat all of the rice and peas in the pot, add the remaining tablespoon of annatto oil. This will help form a delicious golden bottom crust called pegao.
- Once the rice is toasted, stir in the beer and cook for about 3 minutes, then add the reserved pigeon-pea liquid (or 2 1/2 cups water) and roasted red pepper brine. Taste the cooking liquid and adjust salt as needed; it should be pleasantly salty.
- Gently stir rice, then spread about half the thinly sliced roasted red pepper over the rice. Drizzle with olive oil. Cover rice with prepared banana leaves, then cover pot with its lid and cook for 22 minutes.
- Once the time has passed, remove the lid, open the banana leaves and gently fold the rice onto itself from the outside in to form a mound in the center of the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low, replace banana leaves and lid and continue cooking for 20 to 25 minutes to allow pegao to form at the bottom of the pot.
- To serve, spoon rice atop a platter layered with fresh banana leaves. Garnish with remaining sliced roasted peppers. Use a metal spatula to scrape pegao out of the pot and serve on a separate plate. Be careful, because everyone will fight over it!
Tips:
- Choose the right type of rice. Medium-grain rice, such as Calrose or Valencia, is the best choice for this dish. It will cook up fluffy and tender, and it will absorb the flavor of the annatto oil well.
- Use fresh annatto seeds. If you can find them, fresh annatto seeds will give your rice a more vibrant color and flavor. If you can't find fresh seeds, you can use ground annatto powder instead. But be careful not to use too much, as it can be bitter.
- Don't overcrowd the pot. When you add the rice to the pot, make sure that it is spread out in an even layer. If the rice is too crowded, it will not cook evenly.
- Let the rice rest before serving. Once the rice is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb all of the annatto oil.
Conclusion:
Arroz con achiote is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you like it mild or spicy, with vegetables or meat, arroz con achiote is sure to please everyone at the table.
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