Dominican White Rice (Arroz Blanco)
Dominican White Rice or Arroz Blanco is a delicious fluffy traditional side dish that is really easy to make. It is known for its versatility because it can be used in a variety of recipes. Its flavor also pairs well with many flavors that span multiple cultures. If you want to eat authentic Dominican food, this is the first recipe you should start with.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp onion powder (or 1 small yellow onion)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves of garlic)
- 2 tsp salt or to taste
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 2½ cups water
Instructions
Rinse the Rice
- Rinse the rice with water in a large mixing bowl to remove the rice grain's starch, then carefully strain the water from the rice.
Toasting the onion and garlic
- Add the vegetable oil over MEDIUM-HIGH heat in a caldero (or Dutch oven or Aluminum pot) and place the onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to toast. NOTE:. Make sure you don't burn it!
- When the onion powder and garlic powder start to change to a toasty color, (which is close to a dark yellowish-orangish color, NOT BROWN) add 2½ cups of water.
- When the water starts boiling, add the perfectly rinsed rice and cook on HIGH heat, while stirring regularly with a large spoon to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
Steaming The Rice
- When the water has evaporated, lay a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the rice. Press the pot's lid down onto the foil firmly.
- IMPORTANT! Reduce the cooking temperature to LOW, and steam the rice for 20 to 25 minutes without removing the lid or stirring.
- Uncover the pot after it's ready. Turn the heat off. Use a large spoon to fluff the rice in the pot. Don't mix it too much just break it up a bit. The rice will be separated and fluffy once you move it around.
- Ready to serve!
Notes
- Fresh onion and fresh garlic can also be used in the recipe. Don't slice them, just add into the oil, as it is. Make sure, that when the rice it's ready take them out.
- Long-grain white rice can be replaced with basmati or jasmine rice.
- To replace the white rice in this recipe with brown rice, add 1/2 cup of water more, and increase the steaming time to 35 to 40 minutes. (or until it's done)