CILANTRO AND LIME RICE
Lime and Cilantro Rice is a vibrant, zesty side dish that you can’t help but love with so many main courses. Fluffy basmati, bright cilantro, and that great zest of lime all come together to make the delightful dish stand as a sideshow against so many different Mexican, Mediterranean, or grilled dishes. The simplicity of the ingredients makes it shine out from all the constituents that do not overshadow the delicacy. Anyway, it matters little whether it is a family dinner or some more formal case, but sure enough, it is going to fit perfectly and swiftly.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Lunch, Dinner, Side
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Mexican, Mediterranean, Latin-American, Tex-Mex
PREPARATION / TECHNIQUES
Boil, Quick & Easy, One-Pot Wonders, Prepared in Advance
OCCASION / HOLIDAY
Cinco De Mayo, Summer BBQ, Potluck, Family Dinner, Picnic, Weeknight Meals
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION / DIETARY CONCERNS
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Low Fat, Kid-Friendly, Quick & Easy
DISH TYPE
Side Dish, Rice
INGREDIENTS
- 60g basmati rice
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp lime juice
- Salt, to taste
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fibre: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
PREPARATION OF CILANTRO AND LIME RICE
- Cook the rice: Rinse the basmati rice twice in cold water in order to eliminate excess starches. Then, place in a small saucepan with 120 ml of water. Then, boil it on medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Bring it to a boil, then place the heat low and cover it with rice. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the water is fully absorbed into it and the rice is soft but not mushy.
- Fluff the rice: Take the pan off the heat and cover it for a few minutes. Fluff it with a fork and separate the grains.
- Add cilantro and lime: Add cilantro and a fresh squeeze of lime juice to the dish, plus adjust salt as needed.
- Serve: Pile the rice into a serving dish. Garnish with more cilantro if you want.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
15 minutes
TIPS
- Fluff gently, using a fork to make sure the rice isn’t getting mushy.
- Add and adjust the amount of lime juice to taste to get that sharper or faint sourness.
- This recipe would be quite mouthwatering if it is prepared using vegetable broth instead of water.
- It has a nutty undertone and additional flavour, so it’s always good to roast the rice in a minimum quantity of olive oil before actually adding the water.
VARIATIONS
- Add finely chopped jalapeño or bell pepper for a little spice or crunch.
- Add some corn or black beans to make it a wonderful side.
- Replace lime juice with lemon juice if you want a more citrusy flavour.
- Sub-basmati brown rice primarily because of its increased nutritional advantages and dietary fibre content.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Fridge: Store leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Heat up in a microwave or on a stovetop with just a little added water to loosen the rice.
- Freezing: Store cooked rice in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 1 month. Refrigerate overnight and reheat when ready.
