Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice

The best Mexican Rice I’ve had; it combines cilantro with Serrano peppers and olive oil in a dressing that makes for a lively and delicious side dish.

I first made this Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice to take to a friends Mexican themed barbecue many, many years ago. It is unbelievably good; so good that I kept ‘tasting’ it so much that I had to make a second batch for the party…oops!

I don’t quite remember a dish that I’ve had as many requests for, it’s really that good. Don’t let the seeming innocuousness of the ingredients fail to impress; it is the combination of those perfect ingredients that makes a dish that I can not stop eating. This Cilantro Serrano Mexican Rice is absolutely addictive; bet you can’t taste just one bite either!

I’ve included it this week as my contribution to the Food Network’s #SensationalSides that we’re doing for summer dishes. This week it’s all about foods that are perfect for a picnic and we have one big last hurrah this coming Labor Day weekend.

I love making this dish for outdoor events, there is nothing to spoil and it’s meant to be served at room temperature, so this Cilantro and Serrano Mexican Rice is ideal for a barbecue or picnic.

When I posted this recipe several years ago; the photo I used was one of the last photos taken by an old point and shoot camera and I was tired of cringing whenever I saw it. I love this dish so much and wanted a photo that was more appealing since it is seriously one of my favorite dishes. Although the ingredients are pretty simple and not especially beautiful; trust that this dish is AMAZING.

When my friend’s Sandy and Ansh joined me for dinner last summer I made this rice for us and expected to do a re-shoot then. Except we ate too much of it. So another do-over later and finally I’ve got something I can live with (until a couple of years from now right?).  I don’t fashion myself as a food photographer by trade but I know that my photography has improved over the years and some of the dishes on this blog deserve better than I first gave them…this one especially.

One word of caution when making this most excellent dish; be very careful when working with the Serrano peppers in this recipe. Serrano peppers have a higher Scoville Heat unit than milder jalapeno chiles so either wear gloves or do what I did…except for removing the inside membrane and seeds with a paring knife I used my mini Cuisinart to finely chop the pepper.

They are so strong they it actually hurts when I breathe in the fumes but used in a small quantity they are absolutely necessary for the end result flavor of this dish. Funny thing…it’s not hot at all; they just combine with all the other ingredients and the flavor is an absolute necessity.

The first time I used them without gloves, I must have rubbed my eye several hours later and it still burned. I’ve heard that it’s wise to use extra caution with gloves as well if you think you will be holding an infant as the Capsaicin on your fingers can burn their gentle skin.

One trick I’ve learned? Capsaicin is oil soluble…rub your hands with a bit of oil before washing them and it should bind the capsaicin to the oil and wash it away. Ever put a pepper in your mouth that burned too much…try rubbing some butter inside your mouth to do the same thing!

Do try it, it is seriously the BEST Mexican rice dish I’ve ever  had. Take my word for it and oh…just to be safe? Double the recipe from the getgo and then start tasting away!

Some more great dishes from my Food Network group for your last summer hurrah!

• Devour: A Tisket, A Tasket, 5 Recipes Fit For Your Labor Day Picnic Basket
• TasteBook: Zucchini Cornbread Muffins
• The Fed Up Foodie: Rustic Italian Grilled Polenta & Vegetables
• The Mom 100: Artichoke, Feta and Roasted Pepper Couscous Salad
• A Mind “Full” Mom: Easy Slow-Cooker BBQ Drumsticks
• Dishin & Dishes: The Best Baked Beans -Slow Cooker/Crockpot
• Creative Culinary: Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice (You’re Here!)
• In Jennie’s Kitchen: Salted Thyme Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Swing Eats: Onigirazu: Gluten-Free Japanese Rice Sandwiches
• FN Dish: Portable Labor Day Picnic Favorites (That Taste Even Better Outside)

PIN IT! Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice’

Yield: 8 -10 Servings

Cilantro and Serrano Rice

Print

A wonderful and flavorful rice dish perfect for a summer barbecue. Not your typical Mexican rice, this one is filled with flavors of pepper and garlic and cilantro!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dressing

• 1 1/4 cups packed coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon minced seeded Serrano chile

For the Rice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced seeded Serrano chile
• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 3 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Place all dressing ingredients into food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add onion, garlic, and Serrano and sauté until the onion is translucent, 7-9 minutes.
4. Add rice and stir 2 minutes.
5. Mix in broth and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until rice is just tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
7. Transfer rice to bowl; cool to barely lukewarm, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours.
8. Add Cilantro Dressing to rice and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead; let stand at room temperature.)

Notes

When I originally made this dish I used a cup of olive oil but too often that has meant having some oil at the bottom of the serving bowl so I've cut it down...if you feel your dish could use a bit more, drizzle it as needed after adding the dressing.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 194Total Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5g