Hi again friends! Have some more time in front of the computer so getting the recipe out there for the cilantro lime rice from the Mexi-Que menu!
This is one that I have tried a number of different ways because it is one of MSP’s favorites. (He’s a big Chipotle fan and they have Cilantro Lime rice.) I’ve tried white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, chicken broth, veggie broth, etc. Here is the way that I think it turns out the best.
- 2 tsp oil of choice (just enough to barely coat the bottom of the pan you’ll be using)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (I used the pre-minced jarred kind; 1 tsp is about 2 cloves)
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (or veggie broth) preferably low sodium
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 oz fresh lime juice (or jarred not-from-concentrate)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- lime zest
- 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped (rinsed and thoroughly dried first)
Add the oil to your pot over medium to low heat. Add the garlic and rice, then stir around to coat the rice well for about 2 minutes. Keep the rice moving.
Add the broth, water, lime juice and salt.
Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Then cover, reduce heat to a low simmer for 20 minutes. CAREFULLY remove the lid (open away from your face) after 20 minutes to the check the rice. If you like the “doneness” level (I like fluffy rice) set the lid aside and turn off the heat.
Zest one lime right into the pot, using care not to zest too far into the white (pith).
NOTE: when zesting, aim to use organic fruit so that you aren’t grating pesticides right into your food. If you can’t find organic, at the very least wash your fruit well. WF didn’t have organic limes the day I was shopping, so this lime was washed with soap and warm water the same way I wash my hands.
Add your finally chopped cilantro to the pot.
Stir until the cilantro is evenly distributed. You can serve this immediately OR you can make it ahead, refrigerate it and reheat when you are ready for it. I also like this rice served cold too. You can eat it on the side, or you can stuff it into a burrito.
The finished product:
You can play around with the levels of lime in this. I LOVE lime so I add a lot of zest and a lot of the juice. However, if you would prefer to tone it down you may want to cut the lime juice in half or not even add the zest. Totally up to you! Make it your own!
