Mexican Green Rice

Photo: flickr user ronnie44052

Ingredients

3 cups water

Salt as needed

1 1/2 cups rice

4 plum tomatoes

1 tablespoon vinegar

4 green onions

1 1/2 cups cilantro leaves

1 can diced green chiles - (7 oz)

Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Place the water and 1 teaspoon of salt in a 3-quart saucepan over high heat. When the water boils, turn the heat to low and slowly pour the rice into the water. Stir the rice in case any grains are sticking to the bottom, cover the pot and set a timer for 20 minutes. Check the rice after 5 minutes to make sure the heat is low and the water isn't boiling furiously.

Cut the tomatoes lengthwise. Slice the core top off and discard. Put each half flat-side down and cut each into about 4 strips lengthwise. Gently hold the strips together and cut in 1/4-inch pieces crosswise. Place the chopped tomatoes in a small bowl and sprinkle them lightly with salt. Sprinkle the tomatoes with vinegar and toss, either using your hands or a fork so the vinegar covers all the pieces. Set aside.

Slice off the root end of the onions and trim about 2 inches of the coarser green tops. Holding the green onions together, chop them crosswise into thin pieces, 1/8-inch or less. Add them to the bowl with the tomatoes. Remove the cilantro leaves from the stems; you need about 1 1/2 cups.

When the rice is done, taste a little. It should be tender, not firm. If it seems firm, cook it another 5 or 10 minutes and taste again for doneness. Stir in the tomatoes, onions, cilantro leaves and chiles. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.

You can serve it with roasted pork spare ribs. The ribs are easy - season them with salt and pepper, put them in a roasting pan and bake them at 425 degrees for one hour, turning them halfway through (season the other side when you turn them). You can make the rice the day before, then reheat it in a casserole alongside the ribs during the last 30 minutes of roasting.

Accompany your meal with warm tortillas, a simple green salad and a small bowl of sour cream for topping the rice.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

NOTES :