Cherry Almond Rice Mexicana Recipes

WATERMELON MEXICANA

Steps:

• Segment the orange and grapefruit reserving the un-segmented part of each fruit. Cut jicama, chayote, and cucumber in finger-sized julienne. Place the segmented oranges and the grapefruit in a bowl with the other cut veggies Add watermelon, banana, lime juice and squeeze the un-segmented part over the cut veggies and citrus. Toss in the chili and cilantro.
• Season with salt, to taste, and serve each piece on a toothpick.

RICE PUDDING WITH ALMONDS AND CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine milk, 5 tablespoons sugar and rice in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until rice is tender and mixture is thick, stirring frequently, about 35 minutes. Discard vanilla bean. Mix in almonds. Pour rice pudding into 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan; cool completely.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until medium peaks form. Fold cream into rice pudding mixture in pan. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Cook cherries, lemon and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until cherries are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture and bring to boil, stirring constantly. Discard lemon. Spoon pudding into bowls. Spoon hot cherry sauce over.

MEXICAN RICE - ARROZ A LA MEXICANA

Steps:

• For this quantity of rice you will need a flameproof pan about 4 inches (10 cm) deep and 9 inches (23 cm) across. Pour hot water to cover over the rice and let soak for about 5 minutes. Strain, rinse in cold water, and strain again. Be sure to shake the strainer well to remove the excess water. Do not do this step ahead of time or the rice will become too damp.
• Heat the oil in the pan and stir in the rice - it should sizzle as it touches the oil. Stir until the grains are evenly coated and continue frying over medium heat until they sound brittle and are just starting to turn golden, about 10 minutes. Tip the pan to one side and drain off the excess oil.
• Meanwhile, put the tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a blender jar and blend until smooth. Stir the puree into the rice and continue frying over fairly high heat, scraping the bottom of the pan to avoid sticking, until the mixture has been absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Add the broth and the optional ingredients; stir the rice well, adjust the salt, cover the pan, and cook over medium heat until all the broth has been absorbed - air holes will probably form. Carefully dig to the bottom of the rice with a fork to see if any moisture remains; if so, then continue cooking over low heat for a few minutes more. Set aside, still `covered, to give the rice a chance to continue steaming evenly for about 15 minutes.
• When serving, gently stir the rice from the bottom with a fork.

CHERRY ALMOND RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Cook the rice until tender.
• Add the evaporated milk, brown sugar and orange zest; cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or until the rice is very creamy and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Stir in the milk, vanilla and almond extracts and remove from heat.
• Cool to room temperature, stir in the cherries and almonds and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.

ARROZ A LA MEXICANA

Steps:

• In food processor or blender, process onion, peppers, garlic, tomato paste, 1/4 cup water, and salt until smooth; set aside.
• In 12-inch skillet, melt Country Crock® Spread over medium-high heat and cook rice, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until golden. Stir in remaining 2 1/4 cups water, green peas and carrots, and onion mixture. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Season, if desired, with salt and pepper.