One of the most favorite side dishes in Mexican cuisine for so many of us is Mexican rice and refried beans. That lovely flavored, fluffy, reddish orange rice is frequently paired with a number of different Mexican dishes. With Mexican rice, many times you will also find refried beans. Refried beans topped with melted cheese enhances any dish. Today, Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant would like to share more about Mexican rice and refried beans and why they are such a popular side dish.

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is also referred to as Spanish rice, red rice, Arroz a la Mexicana, arroz Mexicano, and arroz rojo. Mexican rice is a combination of white rice, tomato, garlic and onion with a few other varying ingredients. Mexican rice isn’t a standalone dish but is used as a side. A number of Mexican dishes will have the refried beans and rice on the side of the primary dish. Mexican rice is frequently accompanied with burritos, tacos, quesadillas and so much more. Mexican rice is most popular in central and northern Mexico and is found throughout the southwestern portion of the United States. Mexican rice is a colorful and flavorful rice with small pieces of vegetables found throughout the rice. When making Mexican rice, it is often started with rinsing and soaking a medium grain white rice. Once the rice has been washed it is then toasted in a saucepan with a fat such as butter, lard or oil. Once the rice grain has been toasted it will turn a golden brown color. Next the tomatoes, onion, garlic and spices are put into a blender until smooth. The blended vegetables are added to the toasted rice and then mixed with a chicken or vegetable broth. The flavored broth will then cook into the rice until the rice is soft and fluffy. All of the ingredients is absorbed into the rice which gives the rice its fluffy texture, flavor and color. However that is only how the rice itself is cooked. There is more to Mexican rice. Often Mexican rice will have a few vegetables spread throughout the rice. Chopped carrots, corn, peppers or even peas is sometimes mixed in Mexican rice.

Refried Beans

Refried beans is another common side dish found alongside most Mexican cuisine. Mostly, refried beans are made from the pinto bean. However there are different types of beans that are used as well. Some of the other variations may use black beans or kidney beans. Refried beans, also known as Frojoles Refrito in Spanish is often accompanied by Mexican rice and the main dish. Refried beans are cooked and then mashed into a trick but semi-creamy texture. Once mashed, they are cooked again in a frying pan with a pork lard or other kind of fat. This is why they are called a refried bean. They are cooked twice, and occasionally with other spices and peppers to give them more flavor.

Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV, Paradise, Lone Mountain & Henderson, NV)

You need to have refried beans and Mexican rice to truly complete some of your most favorite Mexican dishes. When you are looking for some great Mexican cuisine and a wonderful dining experience, come on down to Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant today.