My Dominican Rice Recipe

This is an exciting post for me. It is my first recipe!  This summer, a houseguest and friend of ours from the Dominican Republic cooked a delicious rice recipe he had told me about.  It has coconut milk in it.  That was all I needed to hear. I had to try it!  I am vegetarian, so I have slightly altered his recipe.  This recipe is also vegan, so we can all enjoy this one! 


[Warning: I measure nothing. I cook by texture, but there are notes along the way to help.]

Here's what you need first:
- long-grain white rice
- 1 can of coconut milk
- vegetable broth (or vegetable bullion mixed with water)
- cooking oil (I use olive oil.)
- cilantro
- small amount of veggies (I use peas, green bell pepper, and celery...or any combination of these.)


1.  Brown the rice by putting in on medium heat with a small amount of oil.  The rice should be shiny with oil, but there should not be excess oil in the pot.  Stir often so that the rice does not burn.  I usually use 2-3 cups of rice.


2.  Add a "good amount" of vegetable broth and the can of coconut milk.  (Your quantity of broth will vary, depending on how much rice you use.)  Bring to a boil, stirring and then lower heat to Low and put on lid.)
 

3.  The rice will take 30-45 min. to cook, depending on actual cooking temperature, quantity of rice, and how often you take off the lid.  Why would you take of the lid?  Because you don't know exactly how much liquid to add, so you will need to check periodically.  *My rule: If in doubt check. If in doubt about adding more broth, add more a little at a time.*  If the rice sticks to the bottom of the pan, you didn't add enough - just add more broth and let the person in your family who likes slightly burnt food eat what's at the bottom.


4.  While the rice is cooking, chop your cilantro and vegetables (except for the peas because that would be silly).  I put in 2/3 cup or so of chopped veggies.  Add the cilantro first (It adds a lot of flavor! Oh, I put in a palm-full. That's metric.).

5.  Add your veggies when you think the rice is at least halfway done cooking.  You will know the rice is completely done cooking when it looks fluffy and when you bite it, it's soft.  (If it hurts your teeth to bite it, it's not done cooking yet. Put that lid back on!)  Doesn't it look good?!
 

6.  Eat it, of course!!  I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.  (I had to go make some after writing this post.)