Mexican Rice

While M is not a big rice eater (he's too proud of his Punjabi Parantha eating heritage!), he does relish the occasional Biryanis and Fried Rices of the world. N, being a true rice lover saw this as a sign of hope and went around looking for more rice dishes from cuisines around the world. The first thing that came to mind was the wonderful Paella that we had in Barcelona - ah, the Eurotrip memories come back again. Anyway, cooking a Paella is no mean task but we do intend to get there soon. 

What we have been cooking pretty often is Mexican flavoured rice. See below for the basic recipes as well as very interesting variations. A full of flavour preparation, and a complete meal in itself.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice (boiled)

5-7 cloves of garlic minced

1 inch piece of ginger finely chopped

2 medium onion chopped

1 capsicum chopped

1 bellpepper chopped (mix red and yellow for color)

3 tomatoes chopped

2 tbsp tomato puree

2 tsp canned salsa

7-8 Jalapeno rings

1/2 Sweet corn

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp white pepper

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp brown sugar

salt

1 tbsp fresh coriander chopped

Optional ingredients

4 Chicken sausages 

2 Eggs 

1/2 cup refried beans 

Method

1. In a pan heat oil and sauté ginger, garlic and onion.

2. Add capsicum and bell pepper to sauté.

3. Then add tomatoes, tomato purée, sweet corn and salt. Cover it with lid and cook for 5 mins.

4. Remove the lid and add salsa, jalapeno, oregano, cumin powder, chilli flakes, paprika, pepper and brown sugar to it and let it cook till it becomes dry.

5. Add rice to it and mix it well.

You may add beans to it. Garnish with coriander and Veg Mexican rice are ready.

To add egg and sausages

1. Cut sausages into disc shape and saute them in a separate pan.

2. Make very thin omelette and cut it into strips.

3. Mix both with rice.

Enjoy this hearty meal with a glass of Bloody Merry!