Cilantro Lime Rice

Mexican food has always been known for its multitude of variations, use of different spices, colorful decorations and above all, for being delectable. Whether it be tortillas, tamales, nachos, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, corunda, chiltomate, carnita, etc. Cilantro lime rice is one of the delicious Mexican rice dish that is now popular in other parts of the world too. It is a versatile dish that is perfect as a side dish or as a filling for burritos. If you love the flavor of this Mexican food, you can prepare it at home. Here are some tips to make this lip-smacking Mexican dish.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Preparing this rice dish is not a difficult task, if you know the right method. In order to prepare four servings of this rice, you need the following ingredients.

• Long grain white rice (preferably basmati) - 1 cup
• Chicken broth - 1½ cup
• Chopped cilantro - ½ cup
• Fresh lime juice - 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Garlic cloves - 3
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Lime zest - from one lime

How to Prepare

Start by rinsing the rice with cold water. Rinse well, till the water runs clear, but, make sure to do this fast, so as to prevent the rice from getting soaked. Once done, put the rice in a colander and let it drain. Now, peel and mince the garlic cloves and keep them aside. Take a sauce pan and place it over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan, followed by the minced garlic and fully drained rice. Now, stir the rice and minced garlic in the pan for around two to three minutes. After that, add the chicken broth, along with salt and lime juice to the rice and bring the mixture to boil. The lime juice and chicken broth (along with cilantro) is responsible for the special flavor of cilantro lime rice.

The next step is to cook the rice covered, for around 15 minutes. You have to follow the manufacturer's instructions, as far as the cooking time of the rice (the particular type you are using) is concerned. This is very important as the cooking time of rice varies from one type to another. If you are not sure of the cooking time, check for the doneness of rice, in between. Once the rice is done, remove the pan from heat and add the chopped cilantro and lime zest. Serve the rice hot.

If you want an easier cilantro lime rice recipe, you may try the following method. As per this recipe, you have to cook one cup of rice with two cups water and a teaspoon of salt. Meanwhile, you can prepare the cilantro paste by blending chopped cilantro, olive oil, garlic cloves, lime juice and two tablespoons of water. Make a smooth paste of these ingredients and mix it well with the cooked rice. Your rice dish is ready. You may enhance the flavor of this rice by adding a tablespoon of fine jalapeno slices (from the jar). You may also replace basmati with other types of rice, like, brown rice. But, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, regarding the cooking time of the rice. If you opt for brown rice, the cooking time will increase considerably. But, avoid those rice types, that have a tendency to stick together, after cooking.

In short, preparing cilantro lime rice is a simple task, if you have the required ingredients. The above mentioned is a simple recipe that can be prepared within 30 minutes. It can be served with fish, beef, shrimp, chicken or any other dish of your choice.