Imagine a plate of rice as vibrant as a meadow in spring, so aromatic it captivates your senses even before you taste it. Green Rice, a classic in Colombian cuisine, combines the simplest ingredients to create a dish full of flavor and color. This rice is not only a delight for the palate, but also a feast for the eyes.
Don't be fooled by its simplicity, Green Rice can be the star at your next family meal, the perfect accompaniment to your favorite protein, or even a unique dish for a light and healthy dinner. And best of all, it's ready in less than 30 minutes.
This green rice recipe is a very healthy, delicious, and economical option common in Latin America, primarily in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Mexico.
When it comes to healthy food, this recipe is perfect, remember that each plate should include 20% of some protein, 50% of vegetables or fruits, and 30% of carbohydrates, in this case, it will be the green rice. With this amount on our plate, we will have a quite balanced and healthy diet for our body.
Green rice is a pretty easy option for those days when we want to change the menu a bit, break the routine, and eat something a little different. This rice is a good complement to different recipes, and you can accompany it with meats like pork, chicken, or beef.
If you seek balance, avoid pairing it with other grains, like beans or lentils, and better complement your lunch with a healthy salad or a portion of steamed vegetables. These are quite healthy options, but also delicious.
What attracts me most to this green rice is its smell, since using vegetables or some herbs makes it a very aromatic, delicious, and healthy dish, as mixing this ingredient with either parsley, cilantro, or spinach provides many benefits and nourishes our body and our children's.
I hope you are encouraged to prepare this delicious green rice recipe, which only takes 30 minutes of preparation, and its result is incredible. You know, change the routine and dare to cook something different. Let's cook.
The choice of broth: Can it influence the taste of Green Rice?
Absolutely. The choice of broth, whether chicken or vegetable, can significantly change the flavor of your green rice. Chicken broth will give it a deeper, meatier taste, while vegetable broth will maintain a lighter, vegetable taste. If you want a more neutral flavor, you can even use water. Remember, the key is to adjust the seasoning to your palate.
How to prevent the rice from sticking to the pot during cooking?
The secret to prevent the rice from sticking to the pot is constant stirring after adding the blender mixture. This helps to evenly distribute the heat and prevent a layer of sticky rice from forming on the bottom. Also, make sure to reduce the heat once the water has evaporated and cover the pot, to allow the rice to finish cooking with steam.
What other vegetables can I use?
Although the traditional Colombian green rice recipe is made with spinach and parsley or cilantro, you can experiment with other leafy greens such as chard, kale, or even basil for a more Italian flavor. Just make sure to blend the vegetables well to maintain the smooth texture of the rice.
Can I make it without garlic and onion?
Of course, although both garlic and onion provide a base flavor for most recipes, you can do without them if you prefer. However, you may need to adjust the seasoning with more salt or herbs to compensate.
What can I serve with Green Rice?
Green Rice is a versatile dish that can accompany almost any protein, like roasted chicken, baked fish, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. It also goes well with other Colombian dishes like bandeja paisa or ajiaco.
Tips and Tricks
For a more aromatic rice, you can add some bay leaves or a bit of cumin to the cooking.
If you want a fresher taste, you can add some lemon juice at the end of the cooking.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't stir the rice too much once the water has dried up. This can break the grains and make the rice sticky.
Similar recipe recommendations
If you liked Green Rice, you could try Coconut Rice, another Colombian dish where the coconut is caramelized to give the rice a sweet taste.
Or maybe you'd like to try Atollado Rice, a rice dish from the Valle del Cauca region in Colombia that includes chicken, pork, and vegetables.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound of rice.
- 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth.
- ½ cup of spinach.
- ½ cup of parsley or cilantro.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- 1 garlic.
- 1 egg onion.
- Oil.
Instructions
- In the blender, add the chicken or vegetable broth (in case you don't have, use water) along with the spinach leaves, parsley or cilantro, salt, and pepper, and blend until everything is homogeneous. Reserve.
- In a pot, add the oil, along with the finely chopped onion and garlic, sauté a little and add the rice. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- After a few minutes, add the blender mixture (you can add it as is or strain it).
- Let it boil, and when the water has dried, cover the pot and lower the heat.
- Let the rice cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.
- After this time, turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
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