Well, I have had this book for over a decade, It the recipe book that came along with the Nippo Electric cooker. Amma has been using this cooker for a long time and most recipes in that book are tried and tested. It comes with beautiful pictures and very simple recipes. We must've tried most of them of course. But there was this recipe which is called Mexican Rice. It looks very colorful with green peppers and tomato slices all over it.
Every time I open the book, this one keeps calling. Not sure if this feeling is common among foodies, but when I flip through a cookbook, I immediately have a feeling that certain recipes call out to me. Yeah I know it sounds funny, but thats the way it is.
I have indulged in them based on such calling and most have turned out to be delicious. Yet somehow this Mexican Rice is something I never turned to. Maybe I was scared that I might turn out with something that's, not to our taste. As a cuisine, I am only familiar with Mexican enchiladas.
I used to make these during college. And everybody used to love it at home. Now don't ask me if it was the authentic recipe. What do you expect a south Indian to do. Make everything a little spicy to suit our palate. Of course, I tried hard to keep it quite original. But who knew what was authentic on that. I had the recipe to vouch for its originality!
When I saw the ingredient list, I was surprised. Does it take just these few things to churn out that delicious looking dish, I thought! Well, the lesser the simpler to complete the cooking and with that thought, went ahead making it.
Ingredients Needed:
Serves - 2
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Garlic - 2 pods
Onion - 1 medium
Chili powder - 3/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tsp
Water - 1 & 1/2 cup
Garnishing
Bell pepper / Capsicum - 1/2
Tomato - 1 medium
Oil - 1/2 tsp
Method to prepare:
Wash and soak rice for 15 - 30 mins. Meanwhile, finely chop garlic, onion as juliennes, Tomato & bell pepper as a thin slice.
Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Saute garlic till they smell, then add onions. Fry till they are little brown but not fully.
Add chili powder and salt. Fry for two mins. Then drain and add the rice to the pan. Fry for 2 mins. Add the water and let it come to a boil. Then simmer for 15 mins.
Meanwhile, heat another pan with 1/2 tsp oil, Saute the peppers till they are cooked but not brown. Just before switching off, add the tomato slices. And remove. Make sure the tomato are not mushy.
Once the rice is done, gently mix in the capsicum and tomato slices. This took just about 15 mins to get ready for you. So another quick rice variety on the way!
Ehmm...I was surprised at the lovely taste. This can be served on its own, but I served it with curds. It was a great combination. The rice was a little spicy but it didn't taste as if it had just chili and garlic in it.
Rachel says
lovely pics...where did you get such fresh spring onions in our neighbourhood?
Yes..this is the easiest yet the tastiest..I add fried cabbages to this as well...
Uma says
looks so delicious! Lovely entry.
kamala says
sounds easy valli.Never made other than Indian foods.This one i am going to try soon.
Arundathi says
yup recipes call out to me too and sometimes i go through an ingredient list and i imagine how i'd make it and realize i could do this. with every dish, i get more courageous and try more complicated recipes. I love that yours is simple and looks delicious!
Sukanya Ramkumar says
That was a nice post... looks great...love mexican food a lot... so colurful...
Aparna says
That's the nice thing about most Mexican food is that it suits our Indian palate.
beachbirdie says
We do make much Mexican food at our house as my dear husband is Mexican. Your Mexican rice is lovely. We do it without the bell pepper, you can use any variety of chili (green chillies, jalapenos, etc.). We often use chickpeas (garbanzos, channa) in the rice too.
And it is wonderful with sprigs of cilantro (coriander leaf) cooked into it and as garnish.
We will try it with curd, I never thought of that.
Divya Vikram says
Love mexican rice..yours looks too inviting Srivalli
Swati Raman Garg says
hmm mexican food actually goes with our palletes.. and ur rice looks so tempting sri...
Archana says
Looks awesome. Got to try this recipe.Thanks for ur comment on my blog too.
Kalai says
Awesome! You can never have enough rice dishes. 🙂
DK says
Dear Valli....
I will take anything you dish out to me from your kitchen..I am so glad that I made u try that in-the-to-do list rice recipe and I simply love the pic. Luks so colorful and delicious 🙂 Thanks a bunch for sending it to the event. 🙂
Srivalli says
Rachel, thank you...its from our veggie shop next door!..it tasted great...I guess fried cabbages must've tasted good too
Uma, thank you!
kamala, you should try this..its so simple yet so very tasty!
Arundathi, good to feel I have company!..:)
Sukanya, thank you...I was impressed with the colours too!
Aparna, yeah it is...and I just loved it so much!
beachbirdie, thats great to know... so you get to make so many mexican..wow!..
Divya, thank you!
Swati, glad you liked it..I simply loved it
Archana, you are welcome...it was a pleasure being in your place!