Mexican Side Dishes – Mexican Refried Beans and Mexican Rice

Mexican Side Dishes – Mexican Refried Beans and Mexican Rice

Mexican Refried Beans

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, preferably organic, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup lard (Used for Mexican Cooking, not Crisco)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cook beans over medium heat to reduce the juice by half, add the lard, then mash, until the beans are a thick paste, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

For spicy beans cook with Serrano chili, then remove chili before mashing.

For bacon flavored means cook with bacon lard.

Mexican Rice ("Arroz Mexicano")

Ingredients

3 vine-ripened tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth, plus more as needed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large chopped onion
1 large finely diced carrot
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 cups medium-grain rice
2 teaspoons salt
1 bay leaf
1 whole serrano chile
1/4 cup fresh or frozen peas, thawed

Directions

Cut the tomatoes in half, and remove the seeds. Add the tomatoes and 2 cups of broth to a blender and puree. Strain into a bowl and reserve the liquid. Add enough extra broth to make 4 cups of liquid.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and cook until slightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato broth mixture, stir and bring to boil. Add the salt, bay leaf, and the serrano chile. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from heat. Scatter the peas over the top of the rice, cover, and let the rice stand 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

 
Notes

For a deeper colored rice, stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste when adding the salt, bay leaf and serrano chile.