Foodie Blogroll

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cilantro Rice

My daughter loves to get the hand selected burrito at Chipotle's. They have the best cilantro rice and black beans, (which we both like) and the freshest guacamole that they make throughout the day. Since I figured out how to make cilantro rice I've made it several times. Maranda will always finish the leftovers for a snack the next day. It works great in a bento lunch too. I even made it in my rice cooker and brought it along with some black beans to the Super Bowl party. It was not on my mom's menu...so we had plenty of leftovers...which are great! Both the beans and rice.

Cilantro Rice:

1 cup long grain or basmati rice
2 cups water
1 tbsp oil or butter
1 bay leaf
2 tsp or more fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 fresh lemon or lime or half and half (I didn't use all my lemon it was quite large)
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt

Rinse the rice. In a 2-quart heavy sauce pan, heat oil or butter over low heat, saute the rice in oil until almost translucent.Add water and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed. Set aside and let is set for about 30 minutes to steam, or fluff rice with a fork.




Remove bay leaf and mix in salt, citrus juice, and cilantro, you may want to transfer rice into a mixing bowl for this step. You can add a little more oil at this point if you like. The cilantro is the last thing that I would mix in to keep it nice and green.

I used a fresh lemon just picked from my tree...just look how large this one got!


I love having a lemon tree, it was a nice juicy lemon. I don't care for Meyer's lemons, to me they taste like sour oranges instead of a lemon...but that's just my opinion. I know there are a lot of Meyer's lemon lovers out there.




Here with the grilled shrimp and scallops I did add a little vermicelli to make kind of a pilaf. This rice goes well with anything. I have served it with anything from seafood to black beans.



20 comments:

  1. The rice looks so welcoming and loaded with the flavors of coriander...too good to resist..Yum!

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  2. Mmm, we all love Chipotle (and Qdoba). Their rice, salsa and guac are awesome. I will have to make this. The cilantro adds such a great freshness to otherwise ordinary rice. Although I never think of rice as ordinary. It's a staple around here. :)

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  3. This is a keeper for sure. I love cilantro and am always looking for new ways to prepare rice. Thanks Lyndsey!

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  4. I've never eaten at Chipotle...The rice sounds really good.

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  5. I love cilantro rice with lime! This looks great, especially with the shrimp. I can't wait for grilling season!

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  6. kothiyavunu.com - You can always add more cilantro if you like.

    Betty Ray - I thought that too, it adds a freshness, of course the lemon or lime helps too.

    Lyndsay - I have found that I make it quite often, and you can always dress it up a little more and still keep the integrity of the cilantro.

    Bo - Chipotle was open in Sarasota for a long time before we decided to try it. We like how fresh everything is.

    Debbi - I like it with lime or lemon or both. I just have a lot of lemons on my tree right now. :D

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  7. My son would get all his meals at Chipotle, especially that burrito; every day!
    Now I love rice, especially green rice, like the one you just made. I could eat gallons of it.

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  8. Great side for a saucy meal. Never tried with cilantro and lemon, sounds refreshing.

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  9. Looks delicious! Especially with the scallops and shrimp!

    Never been to Chipotle, so I'll try your version. :)

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  10. Great combo and looks yummy, love the addition of lemon juice to the rice..

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  11. I love coriander so this must taste fantastic. Diane

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  12. Joumana - My daughter is the same way, especially the burrito too! Now she wants me to make the black beans and chicken so she can make her own.

    Victor - even with black beans this was good.

    Susan B - hope you enjoy it!

    Treat and Trick - it's surprising how nice it works with the cilantro in the rice.

    Diane - I wasn't always a big fan of cilantro, but now I like it in many things.

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  13. I love Chipotles! I know exactly what you are talking about :D THank you for sharing this delicious recipe, I'll definitely want to make it.
    *kisses* HH

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  14. Lyndsey this cilantro rise look delicious and original, I love it! gloria

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  15. Ah! That's so aromatic, I love this type of food.

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  16. This is a lovely dish which I think goes with almost anything.

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  17. I could serve my husband rice every meal and he would be a happy man; thank you for adding to my recipes.
    Rita

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  18. Lyndsey, I love the ingredients you've used to flavor your rice. I really like your recipe. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  19. Oh yes, Lyndz, here's your rice recipe. OK, you added in cilantro. I love this kind of butter rice too. But have yet tried it with lemon. And you just tempted me. :o) Have a fine day.
    Love, Kristy

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  20. Simple ingredients but huge flavours!

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