Spicy Mexican Green Rice

This fresh, vibrant rice is excellent when served alongside classic Mexican dishes, complementing their bold flavors beautifully.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Servings

4 people

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 1 green pepper
• 1 fresh red chilli
• 1 vegetable stock pot
• 500ml water
• 1 large bunch of fresh coriander
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 cup basmati rice

Method

Step 1: Prep Veg for Charring

Cut the onion in half but leave it entirely unpeeled. Place it into a dry, heavy-based frying pan or skillet alongside your unpeeled garlic cloves, the whole red chilli, and the green pepper.

Step 2: Char the Elements

Cook the vegetables over a high heat until the skins are deeply blackened and blistered all over.

Step 3: Prep Stock and Herbs

Bring your water to a boil and stir in the vegetable stock pot until fully incorporated. Give the fresh coriander a rough chop.

Step 4: Combine the Aromatics

Carefully peel away the papery skins from the charred onion and roasted garlic. Drop them into your stock liquid along with the blistered chilli, green pepper, and chopped coriander leaves.

Step 5: Blend to a Smooth Liquid

Using a stick mixer or countertop blender, process the mixture completely until it becomes a smooth, vibrant green stock base.

Step 6: Toast the Basmati Grains

Tip your dry cup of basmati rice into a pan placed over a high heat. Stir constantly until the grains become lightly toasted and slightly golden. This creates an excellent nutty note and removes superficial starch so the final grains separate perfectly.

Step 7: Pour over the Green Blend

Pour your smooth green aromatic mixture straight over the parched rice. Bring up to a hard bubble and cook on a high heat for roughly 10 minutes, topping up with small splashes of water if the level drops too early.

Step 8: Absorb and Steam Out

Lower your burner setting to medium-low. Let the rice simmer gently until the individual grains are soft and have completely soaked up the flavorful cooking liquid. Fluff the grains gently with a fork and dish up.

Recipe Tips & Alternatives

This savory rice brings a mild, pleasant heat, but you can easily scale the fresh red chilli quantity up or down to align with your personal spice preferences. It works beautifully as an accompaniment texturally paired with hearty Mexican dishes like slow-simmered Chilli Con Carne or smoky Mexican meatballs.