Annatto Rice with Chorizo

Ingredients:

(Ingredient note: Annatto is also known as achiote.)

1 cup long-grain rice
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup Mexican chorizo
¼ cup white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
Pinch of smoked paprika
Pinch of cumin
Salt and pepper
Annatto oil (see recipe)
Fresh lime wedges for garnish

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat 2½ tablespoons of annatto oil to medium heat, add the rice and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until rice becomes toasted and aromatic.

2. While the rice is cooking, at the same time, in a small saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of annatto oil to medium heat, add the chorizo and cook for 5 minutes, until brown and crumbly. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. At this time, add the onions, and both the green and red peppers to the rice, cook for 2 minutes, add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the reserved chorizo, chicken broth, cumin and smoked paprika to the rice, stir well to combine. When it comes to a boil, add a pinch of salt and pepper and stir. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until all the liquid is gone. Remove from heat and let set for 15 minutes. Fluff with fork before serving and garnish with lime wedges.

To make the Annatto Oil:

1½ oz. annatto seeds (about ¼ cup)
2 cups canola oil

Combine the annatto seeds and canola oil in a small saucepan. Heat to medium heat until it starts to lightly bubble, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool, strain through a fine, wire-mesh strainer. Once cooled, store in glass bottle, in the refrigerator. I like using this oil for a lot of my basic Latin cooking. Adds a nice, earthy flavor and gives a great color to your rice dishes.

Annatto Rice with Chorizo ... the flavor combinations are endless! Squeeze some fresh lime juice on to really bring out the flavors...

Other recipes by Sonia:

Buñuelos
Mexican Red Rice
Cheesy Chorizo Bread
Pork Chile Colorado
Frijoles Borrachos con Chorizo
Pork Chile Verde
Lemon Pepper Chicken Fajitas
Chorizo Pozole Soup with Lime Pickled Red Onions
Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chip Chimichangas