Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 cups long grain rice, rinses
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 5 Serrano chiles, or to taste, stemmed, seeded if desired
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock, vegetable stock, or water
  • 3 cups Red Tomato Salsa (recipe follows)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cups diced canned Italian plum tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 large jalopeno chile, stemmed, seeded if desired
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Heat the oil in a medium heavy saucepan or skillet over medium low heat.
  • Saute the rice, stirring constantly, until golden and crackling, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the onions and Serranos and cook until the onions just soften.
  • Then add the garlic and saute until the aroma is released.
  • Pour in the stock or water and the tomato salsa, mixing well to combine.
  • Transfer to a 4 quart baking dish or casserole.
  • Cover with foil and bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 3040 minutes.
  • Stir and serve hot.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over moderate heat.
  • Cook the onions until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer to a food processor fitted with the metal blade, or a blender.
  • Add the remaining ingredients except salt and puree, in batches if you are using a blender, until smooth.
  • Pass through a medium strainer, pressing with a spatula or wooden spoon to push through as much pulp as possible.
  • Pour into a saucepan, and add the salt.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 20 minutes.
  • Adjust seasoning and serve as dipping sauce for chips or use in other recipes.
  • Yield: 1 1/2 quarts