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Spicy Achiote Rice Pilaf

Spicy Achiote Rice on a blue plate
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca
  • Total Time

    30 minutes

Achiote (also known as annatto) gives the spice blend that flavors, and colors, this pilaf a beautiful ochre hue and a distinctive earthy taste. Make sure to buy it powdered, as the whole seeds are very hard and can be difficult to break down at home. Paired with garlic and onion powders, dried oregano, and just a hit of crushed chili powder or flakes, the mix yields a seasoned rice that goes well with just about everything. Pair it with seared steaks and mixed greens or flaky grilled fish and summer squash.

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What you’ll need

Ingredients

4 servings

Seasoning Blend

1½ tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. achiote (annatto) powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
¼ tsp. bird chile powder or crushed red pepper flakes

Pilaf and Assembly

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed until water runs clear
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
Chopped tender herbs (such as parsley or cilantro) and lemon wedges (for serving; optional)
  1. Seasoning Blend

    Step 1

    Whisk together1½ tsp. dried oregano,1 tsp. achiote (annatto) powder,1 tsp. garlic powder,1 tsp. onion powder, and¼ tsp. bird chile powder or crushed red pepper flakesin a small bowl.

  2. Pilaf and Assembly

    Step 2

    Melt3 Tbsp. unsalted butterin a medium saucepan over medium heat. Addseasoning blend和cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed until water runs clear, and cook, stirring often and reducing heat if needed to keep spices from scorching, until grains are coated and opaque around the edges, about 2 minutes.

    Step 3

    Pour in 1½ cups water and add1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt; stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Cook until water is completely absorbed and rice is tender, 15–18 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let rice sit (still covered) 5–10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Uncover rice and fluff gently with a fork. Transfer pilaf to a platter and top withchopped tender herbs (such as parsley or cilantro)如果需要。Serve withlemon wedges如果需要。

Recipe adapted fromThe Simple Art of Riceby JJ Johnson (Flatiron Books). Copyright © 2023. Buy it onAmazonorBookshop.
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  • Hi. This is actually pretty much Guamanian red rice. And you don’t need to buy powdered achiote. Just put a few spoonfuls in a cup of boiling water and let them steep, and use that as part of the water for the rice.

    • FriendaGuam

    • High Rockies

    • 8/11/2023

  • Good

    • Test

    • India

    • 8/10/2023

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