Description
Spicy Mexican rice delight brings zesty flavors together in a single comforting dish. Hearty ingredients and bold spices create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 can (15.5 oz / 439 g) diced tomatoes (with spicy red pepper)
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 2 tbsps butter (preferably salted)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked chili paste
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (chopped for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat until frothy and golden, then sauté chopped bell peppers until tender and translucent.
- Infuse Spices: Add rice to the pot, coating grains with buttery mixture. Sprinkle cumin and fold in smoked chili paste, allowing spices to bloom and intensify flavors.
- Build Layers: Introduce diced tomatoes with their juices, gently fold in black beans and corn kernels, creating a vibrant and textured foundation.
- Liquid Absorption: Pour water into the mixture, stirring to ensure even distribution. Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to a soft simmer. Cover and let rice absorb liquid and spices for 20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, allow rice to rest briefly. Fluff grains with a fork to create a light texture. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Control Rice Texture: Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separate grains that don’t become sticky or clumpy.
- Spice Intensity Adjustment: Modify chili paste amount to match personal heat preference, starting with less and gradually increasing for balanced flavor.
- Liquid Absorption Tip: Watch rice closely during final cooking stage, adding extra liquid if needed to prevent burning and achieve perfect moisture level.
- Quick Flavor Enhancement: Toast cumin and spices briefly before adding liquid to unlock deeper, more complex taste profiles and heighten overall dish aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg