Welcome to another delicious adventure in our kitchen, where today, we’re unveiling a recipe that promises to elevate your culinary experience with its vibrant flavors and tantalizing aroma: the Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice. Whether you’re looking to add a refreshing side to your meal or simply searching for a new rice recipe to fall in love with, this dish is bound to impress. Let’s dive into the details of making this mouth-watering recipe that combines the tangy zest of lime with the fresh, aromatic cilantro to create a rice dish unlike any other.
Ingredients
Before we embark on our culinary journey, let’s gather the ingredients needed to bring this dish to life:
- 1 ½ cups (280 grams) long grain white rice: The star of the show, providing the perfect canvas for our flavors.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, plus more for serving: Adds richness and depth to the rice.
- 1/2 cup (70 grams) finely minced onion (1 small): For a hint of sweetness and texture.
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 medium cloves): Brings a warm, aromatic flavor to the dish.
- 2 ¼ cups (530 ml) water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock: Use your preferred liquid for cooking the rice; each offers a unique flavor profile.
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste: Balances the flavors.
- 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice: Adds a bright, zesty note.
- 1 cup (30 grams) roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems: Infuses the rice with a burst of freshness.
Directions
Now, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps to achieve the perfect Cilantro Lime Rice:
- Prep the Rice: Start by rinsing the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This crucial step removes excess starch, ensuring your rice will be fluffy and light. Drain well using a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
- Sauté the Base: Heat a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add the olive oil or butter. Once hot, stir in the rinsed rice and minced onion. Cook, stirring often, until the rice becomes a brighter white and the onion softens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the warm water or stock of your choice and give it a stir, making sure to loosen any grains stuck to the sides of the pan. Season with salt, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover with the lid. Let it cook, undisturbed, for 15 minutes.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Afterward, check the rice – if it’s too firm, or appears too dry, adjust accordingly by either cooking a bit longer with a splash more water or moving to the next step if it’s perfect.
- Add the Final Touches: Finally, sprinkle the lime juice and chopped cilantro over the cooked rice. Use a fork to gently fluff and mix everything together, distributing the lime and cilantro evenly throughout the rice.
Serving Suggestions
This Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a myriad of dishes. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables for a balanced meal that’s brimming with flavor. It’s also an excellent base for a rice bowl, topped with your favorite ingredients like black beans, avocado, and salsa for a Tex-Mex twist.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Embrace the refreshing blend of cilantro and lime with this simple yet flavorful rice dish. Perfect for any occasion, this Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is not just a side dish; it’s a statement of love for fresh, zesty flavors that delight the senses. Enjoy crafting this beautiful dish and savor the burst of freshness it brings to your table.
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Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
The Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice is a tantalizing side dish that brings a burst of freshness and zest to any meal. This recipe effortlessly combines the aromatic flavors of cilantro and lime, resulting in a rice dish that’s light, fluffy, and bursting with vibrant taste. Whether served alongside grilled meats, nestled in a burrito bowl, or enjoyed as a standalone dish, this cilantro lime rice is sure to be a hit at any dining table.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups (280 grams) long grain white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, plus more for serving
1/2 cup (70 grams) finely minced onion (1 small)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 medium cloves)
2 ¼ cups (530 ml) water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste, see notes
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
1 cup (30 grams) roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Instructions
Rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well in a fine-mesh sieve and set aside. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook up fluffy and light.
Heat a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, over medium heat. Add the oil or butter. When hot, add the rinsed rice and onion. Cook, stirring often, until the rice turns from translucent to a brighter white and the onion is soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring it around the pan until fragrant, but not browned, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the warm water or stock and stir, knocking any grains of rice that are stuck to the sides of the pan. Season with salt, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover with a lid. Cook, covered for 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and leave alone (still covered) for 10 minutes. Uncover and test a grain of rice. If the rice is still a little hard, place the lid back onto the rice and place over low heat for another 5 minutes. If the rice looks too dry, scatter a tablespoon or two of extra water over the rice before placing back onto the heat.
When the rice is done, scatter the lime juice and cilantro on top. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice and incorporate the lime juice and cilantro into the rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes