New Mexican Rice

By KDHarmon

For his tangy and fragrant rice, chef Hugh Acheson makes sofrito, a classic blend of onion, peppers and garlic. He adds even more flavor to the dish with tomatillo, diced tomatoes and cumin.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomatillo—husked, rinsed and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) canned diced green Hatch chiles
• 1/4 cup Basic Chicken 
Stock or low-sodium broth
• Jasmine Rice or or 3 cups warm cooked white rice
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Details

Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion, tomatillo, garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, chiles and stock and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Transfer the sofrito to a blender 
or food processor and let cool slightly, then puree until smooth. 

Wipe out the skillet and cook the sofrito in it over moderate heat, stirring, until hot, about 5 minutes. Gradually fold in the rice and cook just until it is hot and coated in the sofrito, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, garnish with cilantro and serve. 

Make Ahead:
The sofrito can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Makes 4 servings.