When we returned home, I was inspired to make traditional Mayan rice. Although it doesn’t taste identical to the rice we had in Mexico (there is still a flavor I’m missing), we both really enjoyed it.
Here’s the recipe, as promised. Have you ever had traditional Mayan food?
Traditional Mayan Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 can black beans drained
- 1/4 onion chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- Salt to taste
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/8 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions
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In a large stockpot, combine rice, chicken broth, green pepper, black beans, onion, and 3-4 garlic cloves. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, and simmer covered for 40 minutes.
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Just before 40 minutes is up, cook chicken in a skillet with butter, ground pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cumin, 1 clove garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper.
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Mix chicken into rice, and simmer for an additional 10-20 minutes (until rice is fully cooked). Check frequently to make sure pot does not boil dry. (Add additional chicken broth if needed.)
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Add salt to taste, and serve plain or with tortillas or tortilla chips.
What kind of rice? That seems like a long cooking time for converted rice or even basmati rice. Did you use brown rice?
I see you changed it to brown rice now. That makes more sense.
Yep, I use brown rice. š
Ellie
Yum! That sounds delicious. So, does the rice end up cooking for almost an hour? I thought it only took 20 minutes (once simmering).
Thanks for sharing!
Ah, I see you updated the recipe. Brown rice does take considerably longer to cook. Thanks again.
My pleasure. Let me know what you think of the meal. š
Ellie
Hi Ellie,
This is off topic but thought you would be a good person to ask since you're into a more natural lifestyle and your husband is a dentist. It seems that fluoride is a controversial topic…do you use fluoride or non fluoride toothpaste? I know dentists recommend it but I've also heard it's not good for you from people who advice against chemicals and processed foods. I'm in the process of switching to natural products as much as possible/affordable.
Thanks Ellie!
Fluoride is good for you. Those were just rumors that someone made up to scare people.
Hi there,
That's a good question and one I would be happy to answer. We use toothpaste that contains fluoride. The vast majority of dentists, including my husband, advise their patients to use fluoride toothpaste because studies have proven that it results in less tooth decay. Water that contains fluoride is also helpful, especially for children whose teeth are still forming. Levels of fluoride in toothpaste are much higher than levels in water, so be sure to spit your toothpaste out rather than swallow it, which I'm sure you do anyways.
For folks who are on well water or live in cities that don't have fluoride in the water, it is especially important to use fluoride toothpaste.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. š
Ellie
Thanks for answering Ellie. We do live in a city with no fluoride in the water. My child who hates brushing his teeth is currently enjoying it with a watermelon (his favorite thing to eat) flavored fluoride free toothpaste. Based on your advise I will get him some watermelon flavored fluoride toothpaste, especially since he's not getting it in the water
It's my pleasure. It's always good to see parents who take their children's oral health seriously. š
Ellie
unsweetened cocoa and a pinch of savory could be what's missing from your recipe, but it still sounds really good.
I'm glad you used brown rice, it's so much better for you that white rice.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like you have made Mayan food before.
Ellie
I think the missing ingredient might be cilantro!!
That's a great suggestion! Thanks!
Ellie
I don't know about the taste, but the picture looks very unappetizing. ugly color of food.
I know, it isn't the greatest looking meal, but it tastes really good. š
Ellie
You'll get much nicer color and flavor if you saute everything first then boil together in the following order: onion + garlic, chicken with seasonings, peppers, rice then add the broth and beans. Don't need to boil more than 30 minutes. Right now it looks overcooked, and without sauteing the veggies first you're losing all their color and taste. Hope that helps!
I always enjoy tips from other cooks. Thanks!
Ellie
The flavor you’re missing is achiote, an annato seed paste with added herbs and spices. The Yucatecan peoples didn’t have access to saffron, so they added either annato seeds or achiote paste for color (yellow) and/or distinctive flavor.