Zarelas Creamy Rice Recipe Recipe Cards

ZARELA'S FAMOUS CREAMY RICE CASSEROLE FROM AARON SANCHEZ

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil and add butter and salt. When the butter is melted add the rice and bring back to a boil. Lower the heat to very low and cover the rice with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, Take rice out of the saucepan and spread on a baking sheet to cool or allow to cool in the pan uncovered.
• Meanwhile, combine the sour cream with the 1/4 cup chopped onion and cilantro and add salt to taste.
• Heat the lard in a frying pan and add the 1/2 cup chopped onion and garlic.
• Dice the poblanos and add to pan when the onion is wilted.
• Saute for one minute.
• Let cool and combine with the rice.
• Drain the can of corn well and add to the cool rice and poblano mixture.
• Add the sour cream mixture and mix in the grated cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through in a 350 degree oven.
• If using a Pyrex dish, the oven temperature should be 325 degrees.

ROUND 2 RECIPE - RICE CAKES WITH CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the rice cakes: In a bowl, combine the rice, breadcrumbs, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Mix together until well until incorporated. Take 1/4 cup of the rice mixture and form into 1/2-inch thick patty. Set aside while you form the other 3 patties.
• In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the oil. When it is hot, fry the rice cakes in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a brown paper bag.
• For the creamy cilantro sauce: In the bowl of a food processor, add the cilantro, vinegar, garlic, and sour cream and process to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve the rice cakes with a dollop of the Creamy Cilantro Sauce.

MEXICAN SOUR CREAM RICE

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring the rice and chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish.
• In the pot with the cooked rice, mix the sour cream, green chile peppers, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, corn, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, and top with remaining cheese.
• Bake uncovered 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

ARROZ ROJO (MEXICAN RED RICE)

Steps:

• Grate tomatoes into a bowl using a box grater; discard tomato skins.
• Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and cook onion until translucent, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir rice into onion mixture and cook, stirring often, until rice is lightly toasted, about 3 more minutes. Stir grated tomato, chicken broth, and tomato sauce into the rice. Bring mixture to a boil.
• Mix in jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and salt; reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer until rice has absorbed the liquid, about 15 minutes. Do not lift the cover while the rice is cooking.
• Turn off heat and let rice stand covered for 8 minutes. Fluff with a fork before transferring rice to a serving dish.