Arroz verde, also known as green rice, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that originates from various Latin American cuisines. This colorful rice dish gets its verdant hue from the generous use of fresh cilantro, herbs, spices, and vegetables, creating a visually appealing and aromatic experience. In this article, we will embark on a culinary journey through three distinct arroz verde recipes, each representing unique culinary traditions and offering a delightful taste adventure.
The first recipe, Arroz Verde Colombiano, is a classic Colombian dish that combines the earthy flavors of long-grain rice with a vibrant blend of cilantro, scallions, garlic, and bell peppers. This aromatic rice dish is commonly served as a side dish or as a main course, often accompanied by stews, meats, and beans. Its vibrant green color and herbaceous aroma make it a staple in Colombian cuisine.
Next, we venture to Ecuador with the Arroz Verde Ecuatoriano recipe. This version of green rice is characterized by its use of achiote paste, a flavorful condiment made from annatto seeds, which imparts a distinct reddish-orange hue to the rice. Achiote paste, combined with cilantro, onions, garlic, and spices, creates a rich and savory flavor profile that complements various Ecuadorian dishes, including grilled meats, seafood, and stews.
Finally, we explore the Arroz Verde Mexicano recipe, a vibrant and versatile Mexican dish. This green rice is distinguished by its use of poblano peppers, corn, and epazote, an aromatic Mexican herb, along with the classic cilantro, onions, and garlic. The poblano peppers add a mild heat and a smoky flavor to the rice, while the corn and epazote contribute a unique sweetness and earthiness. Arroz Verde Mexicano is often served as a side dish, but it can also be used as a filling for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
ARROZ VERDE (GREEN RICE)
This green rice, or arroz verde, is so rich and full of flavor... not to mention the vibrant green color! You can pair this rice with any main dish!
Provided by The Chunky Chef
Time 33m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To a blender or food processor, add cilantro, spinach, chicken stock, milk and salt. Puree until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Add olive oil and butter to a large saucepan (with tight fitting lid), and heat over MED heat.
- Add rice and stir. Saute rice, stirring often, until it starts to toast and turn golden brown. This will take about 3 minutes or so.
- Add onion, jalapeno and garlic, and saute for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in pureed mixture, stirring to combine well.
- Increase heat to HIGH to bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce heat to LOW, cover with lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Stir rice once, cover pan again and cook another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let rice sit in the covered pot for 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
- Squeeze a lime quarter over the rice right before eating for extra freshness!
ARROZ VERDE (GREEN RICE)
This is an authentic Mexican rice dish from Jim Peyton, and despite it's somewhat odd sounding ingredients, it is fantastic!!! Great with any meat dish. I sometimes make this for myself for dinner, with nothing but the rice and a glass of white wine to enjoy with it. Leftovers heat up well, too.
Provided by P48422
Categories Grains
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Put the cilantro, spinach and chicken stock in a blender and blend until finely pureed.
- Add the milk and salt and blend just until everything is blended.
- Set aside.
- In a 3 qt saucepan with a good lid, heat the olive oil and butter.
- When the butter is melted, add the rice and saute until it just begins to brown (3 minutes).
- Add the onion and garlic and cook another minute, stirring.
- Add the contents of the blender, stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, then put the lid on and turn the heat to low.
- Allow to cook at least 20 minutes.
- Stir the rice very carefully with a fork, then cover and let it cook another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice steam, covered, for about 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.5, Fat 16.2, SaturatedFat 8.1, Cholesterol 35.8, Sodium 738.1, Carbohydrate 63.2, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 1.8, Protein 9.8
GREEN POBLANO RICE (ARROZ VERDE AL POBLANO)
Provided by Rick Bayless
Categories Pepper Rice Side Vegetarian Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- The flavoring: In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the broth and chiles, bring to a boil, then partially cover and simmer gently over medium to medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the chiles are very soft. Pour the chile mixture into a food processor, add the cilantro (stems and all), and process to a smooth puree. Press through a medium-mesh strainer into a bowl and stir in the salt.
- The rice: Wipe the pan clean, add the oil and heat over medium. Add the rice and onion, and cook, stirring regularly, until the rice is chalky looking and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook a minute longer.
- Add the warm (or reheated) chile liquid to the hot rice pan, stir once, scrape down any rice kernels clinging to the side of the pan, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Uncover and check a grain of rice: It should be nearly cooked through. If the rice is just about ready, turn off the heat, re-cover and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes longer to complete the cooking. If the rice seems far from done, continue cooking for 5 minutes or so, retest, then turn off the heat and let stand a few minutes longer. Fluff with a fork, scoop into a warm serving dish, decorate with cilantro sprigs and it's ready to serve.
- Advance preparation: The rice can be made several days ahead; turn out the fluffed rice onto a baking sheet to cool, transfer to a storage container, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat the rice in a steamer basket set over boiling water.
- Variations and improvisations: An obvious variation is to use 3 or 4 long green (Anaheim) chiles, or to mix poblanos and long greens with hotter chiles like jalapeƱo, manzano or habanero. Grilled corn cut from 1 cob or 1 large grilled zucchini (cubed) are tasty vegetable add-ins. About 1 cup coarsely shredded roast (or barbecued) pork or smoked salmon, mixed in toward the end of cooking, will make green rice a full meal.
Tips:
- For the most flavorful green rice, use fresh cilantro. If you don't have fresh cilantro on hand, you can use dried cilantro, but it won't be as flavorful.
- To make sure the rice is evenly cooked, use a heavy-bottomed pot and bring the water to a boil before adding the rice.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed.
- To prevent the rice from sticking to the pot, stir it gently with a fork once or twice during the cooking process.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
Conclusion:
Arroz verde, or green rice, is a delicious and flavorful side dish that can be served with a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your rice mild or spicy, vegetarian or with meat, there's a green rice recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a new side dish to try, give arroz verde a try. You won't be disappointed!
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