Non-Traditional Arroz Verde (Green Rice): Vibrant fresh herbs add pizzazz to cooked rice in a Mexican side dish that tastes good either hot or at room temperature.
A wonderful rice dish from the excellent cookbook “Herbivoracious” has been the star of my table these past few months.
It is a spin on the usual Mexican arroz verde, or green rice, because instead of cooking the green herbs into the rice, which can dull the flavors and color, author Michael Natkin suggests we stir them in fresh as a sort of pesto. It makes for a very light, bright, clean, vibrant flavor, with the added bonus of tasting good either warm or at room temperature.
And oh, what herbs we have in here — my beloved cilantro, Italian parsley, fresh oregano, fresh dill or even mint! And garlic, of course…always garlic.
This makes it perfect for a potluck, when dishes might sit out for a couple of hours on a buffet table.
This tastes as good 2 hours later as it does in the first minute on the table.
Non-Traditional Arroz Verde (Green Rice): Vibrant fresh herbs add pizzazz to cooked rice in a Mexican side dish that tastes good either hot or at room temperature.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups medium-grain white rice or basmati rice
- 1 cup lightly packed fresh flat leaf parsley leaves and tender stems
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
- ¼ cup lightly packed fresh oregano leaves
- ¼ cup lightly packed fresh mint or dill leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt or flaky sea salt
Directions
- Cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stove according to package directions.
- In a food processor, combine the herbs, garlic and olive oil. Process until pureed.
- Just before serving, stir the herb puree and salt into the rice. Taste and add more salt as needed.
- Serve hot. [Dorothy’s note: I have served this at room temperature, and loved it that way!]
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe sources: “Herbivoracious,” by Michael Natkin (The Harvard Common Press; 2012; $24.95). The publisher sent me a review copy of the book. This recipe is reprinted with permission.
Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-Free
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Here’s another dish from the same author:
Ten-Minute Chickpea Salad with Feta and Basil. So good, so fast, so easy.
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This post was originally published on Shockingly Delicious on July 13, 2013. It has been updated.
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I love the idea of adding the herbs like a pesto! Probably so fresh tasting!!
Nicole,
You MUST try it this way! So, so good.
I’ve never tried adding so many seasonings to rice. I bet this tastes amazing! And you mention either mint or dill, I bet those are two very different but distinct flavors.
Stephanie,
They ARE very different, but either will work. If you have never added mint to a savory dish, I want you to try it. You will be surprised!
This looks so tasty! I love rice dishes – will definitely have a go at making this…
This is such a nice twist on rice! We always have rice but usually default to white or fried. Can’t wait to try this.
I think I’ll make this for the next picnic I go on! I can’t wait!
Mary Frances,
Perfect picnic food. Won’t spoil.
I absolutely love cilantro and this recipe sounds super flavorful. I will have to try it soon!
Thanks for making this. I have so many herbs in my garden and this is a salad I must make. I agree, good one to have sit out for a long time.
This sounds wonderful!
What a great Arroz Verde recipe and looks super tasty.
Love the pesto sauce on this one!
This sounds like a salad that is right up my alley – such beautiful color, too!
This method could be the solution to my “meh” cilantro rice. I put the broth and the cilantro in the blender, and then use that as the cooking liquid. By serving time, most of the flavor and all of the color has been cooked out of it.
Hilary,
I think you are RIGHT!
What a great idea! Sounds delish.
I LOVE this!! Can’t wait to make it as we love rice and eat it at least twice a week. Very creative!!
Great recipe choice and wonderful idea.
Wow, that rice sounds so flavorful with all of those different herbs! And such a beautiful green color too.
This looks yummy. I’ve never tried arroz verde, but it’s on my must try list. Thanks for stopping by Granny’s kitchen.
Omg-oodness! Pesto and rice?! Sounds amazing. This is a beautiful take on Arroz Verde. Can’t wait to try it.
I can imagine the fresh taste by adding the pesto afterwards. Looking good.
This salad looks so delicious. I am a big fan of Mexican food and will give this a try. I will admit that I have never tried a rice salad, but the fresh herbs in this one are calling to me.
I am off to look at your recipe for Hatch Chile Cornbread. I used to live close to Hatch, New Mexico and am a lover of the chile!