Mexican Fried Rice with Salsa souse

Rice is a main dish of India. Different types of dishes are made with rice in different regions of India. Why only in India, different dishes of rice are prepared in different countries of the world. Today we will learn a Mexican recipe for rice with a spicy salsa sauce.

What's the Big Deal?

Okay, so you might be thinking, "Fried rice? Isn't that Chinese?" Well, yeah, traditionally it is. But here's the cool thing about food – it loves to travel and try on new flavors. That's exactly what happened with this dish. It's like fried rice packed its bags, took a trip to Mexico, and came back with a sombrero and maracas!

This dish is the perfect mix of filling rice, colorful veggies, and spicy Mexican flavors. And the best part? We're topping it off with a homemade salsa sauce that'll knock your socks off. It's the kind of meal that's great for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish at your next cookout.

Ingredient List

For steamed rice

• 1 ¹⁄₂ cup Basmati rice
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp salt

for fried rice

• 3 cup Steamed rice
• ¹⁄₂ cup Onion (sliced)
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp Garlic minced
• ¹⁄₄ tsp Turmeric powder
• ¹⁄₄ cup Capsicum (sliced)
• ¹⁄₄ cup Tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 1 cup Mixed vegetables
• 1 tsp Oregano (dried)
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp Kashmiri red chili powder (for colour)
• 6 tbsp Oil
• Salt (to taste)

Salsa sauce

• ³⁄₄ cup Tomato puree
• ¹⁄₄ cup Chopped Onion
• 3 tbsp Tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp Green chili paste/chopped
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₂ cup Coriander leaves chopped

Instructions

Steamed rice

1. To make Mexican Fried Rice we will need 3 cups of cooked rice.
2. For that, 1 1/2 cups of rice should be washed well and soaked for 30 minutes.
3. Then drain the water.
4. Boil 5-6 cups of water.
5. While boiling, add salt and 1tbsp of oil.
6. The oil helps keep the rice grains separate.
7. Now add the rice and cook till 80%.Overcooking fried rice can make it soft and mushy.
8. When 80% cooked, carefully drain the water from the rice using a strainer.
9. Lightly mix the remaining 1 tbsp oil in the rice, so that the grains do not break and spread it in a plate and cool it. Mark as complete

Fried rice

1. Take a non-stick kadai and add oil.
2. When oil is hot, add onion, fry until golden brown.
3. Once fried keep it aside.
4. Add capsicum to the kadai and saute lightly for 1 min.
5. Now add garlic, turmeric powder and fry for 1 min.
6. Now cook all the vegetables (chopped tomatoes, boiled vegetables), chili powder, oregano, salt for another 1 min.
7. Now add rice and fried onion.
8. then using a flat stirring spoon and mix them up.
9. Cook for 3-4 mins and sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander if you like.
10. Our Mexican fried rice is ready. Mark as complete

Tomato salsa sauce

1. Making tomato salsa sauce is very easy.
2. For that add onions, green chili, tomato puree, salt, coriander leaves chopped, tomato ketchup and lemon juice in a clean bowl.
3. Mix everything well.
4. Tomato salsa is ready. Serve it with Mexican style fried rice. Mark as complete

A Little History Lesson

You might be wondering how fried rice ended up in Mexico. Well, it's actually a pretty cool story. Back in the 19th century, a lot of Chinese immigrants came to Mexico to work on the railroads and in the mines. They brought their cooking techniques with them, including fried rice.

Over time, this dish started to mingle with local Mexican ingredients and flavors. Cumin replaced five-spice powder, jalapeños stepped in for ginger, and cilantro took the place of spring onions. It's a delicious example of how cultures can blend together to create something new and exciting.

Today, you can find variations of this dish all over Mexico, especially in areas with a strong Chinese-Mexican community. It's comfort food with a kick, and now you can make it right in your own kitchen!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Mexican Fried Rice

Want to take your Mexican Fried Rice game to the next level? Here are some pro tips:

1. Use cold rice: Freshly cooked rice can get mushy when you fry it. Day-old rice from the fridge is perfect because it's had time to dry out a bit.
2. Don't overcrowd the pan: If you're cooking for a crowd, it's better to cook in batches. Too much stuff in the pan means steaming instead of frying, and we want those crispy bits!
3. Get creative with your veggies: While the recipe calls for mixed veggies, feel free to use whatever you have in your fridge. Zucchini, mushrooms, or even diced sweet potatoes can be great additions.
4. Prep ahead: Chop all your veggies and measure out your spices before you start cooking. Once you get going, things move fast!
5. Make extra salsa: Trust me, you'll want to put this stuff on everything. It's great with chips, on tacos, or even spooned over grilled chicken or fish.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it, folks – Mexican Fried Rice with Salsa Sauce in all its glory. It's a dish that brings together the best of two culinary worlds, creating something that's greater than the sum of its parts. It's comfort food with a sombrero on, a fiesta of flavors that'll make your taste buds do the cha-cha.

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or just a way to use up leftover rice, this recipe has got you covered. It's versatile, it's delicious, and it's a whole lot of fun to make and eat.

So grab your pan, round up those ingredients, and get ready to bring a little bit of Mexico to your kitchen. And remember, cooking is all about having fun and making food that you love. So don't be afraid to experiment, add your own twist, and make this recipe your own.

Until next time, happy cooking, and ¡buen provecho!