1. Garlic Butter Rice
Ingredients:
- 8 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted, divided
- 1 ½ cups white rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon scallions, finely sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and sauté, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Pour out excess oil, then return the pan to the stove.
- Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 ½ minutes or until it starts to turn light golden.
- Add rice and stir to coat in garlic butter.
- Add chicken broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 12–15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let the rice rest with the lid on for 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, stir in the remaining butter and scallions, and garnish with crispy garlic, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.
2. Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cups white rice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 ¼ cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Finely grated zest of one lime
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until rice starts to brown.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add water, salt, and lime zest. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower the heat to maintain a simmer.
- Cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, transfer to a serving bowl, and toss with lime juice and chopped cilantro.
- Serve as a side with chicken, steak, shrimp, or Mexican dishes.
3. Yellow Rice
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and stir until it begins to lightly brown.
- Add garlic, onion powder, and turmeric, and stir to mix well.
- Slowly stir in chicken broth and raise the heat to medium-high. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add cilantro, and fluff with a fork. Serve warm.
4. Mexican Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups white rice
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil
- ¼ onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tablespoon Knorr chicken bouillon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 2 cups hot water
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 sprigs cilantro
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry onions and garlic until lightly browned. Remove garlic and set aside.
- Add rice to the pan and toast for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown.
- Mix in chicken bouillon and garlic powder, and toast for another minute.
- Blend roma tomatoes and the fried garlic clove into a smooth sauce (about 1 cup).
- Add tomato sauce to the rice, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Watch the heat to avoid burning.
- Add hot water and stir in salt if needed. Add cilantro sprigs on top, continue boiling until some water evaporates.
- Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in the tomato sauce layer evenly. Let rest for an additional 10 minutes (optional) for softer rice. Serve warm.
Enjoy these flavorful rice recipes as versatile sides or standalone dishes!